Casualties unknown

2000-07-28: Piper PA-34-200T (N345CD) — Bear River Aviation — Harbor Springs, MI

Harbor Springs, MI, US

On July 28, 2000, a Piper PA-34-200T (registration N345CD) operated by Bear River Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Harbor Springs, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot selected the wrong runway direction in which to land and he did not perform a go-around when he realized the landing approach was too high. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot touched down long on a wet runway, applied full brakes without deceleration, and intentionally turned left to avoid a fence, causing the right main gear to collapse when it contacted grass off the runway.

Incident Overview

A pilot reported that during the landing approach, he contacted the UNICOM for wind information and was advised that winds were calm. Based on this information, he elected to land on runway 28. The pilot stated that the approach was high and touchdown occurred approximately one-third to one-half of the way down the 4,157-foot-long runway, which was wet.

Pilot Actions

Upon touchdown, the pilot applied full brakes, but the airplane did not slow down. Realizing that a go-around was no longer feasible, he decided to keep the airplane on the ground. To avoid a fence at the end of the runway, the pilot executed an intentional sharp left turn. During this maneuver, the right main landing gear contacted the grass off the side of the runway and collapsed. The airplane came to rest nearly 180 degrees from the landing direction.

Wind Information

The pilot noted that local winds were from 080 degrees at 7 knots, contrasting with the earlier UNICOM report of calm conditions. He remarked that a flight over the wind sock would have prevented the mishap.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X21415. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.