FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Airplane Damaged During Hard Landing on Runway 28 (N5359J)

Port Huron, MI, US

On July 16, 2003, a Piper PA-34-220T (registration N5359J) was involved in an aviation accident near Port Huron, MI. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot misjudging the flare during landing, and his inadequate remedial action resulting in the inadvertent porpoise of the airplane. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported a normal approach to runway 28, but at touchdown wind gusts caused the airplane to bounce off the nose gear. The aircraft bounced several times, veered left, and ended up on grass, resulting in damage.

Incident Overview

A hard landing on runway 28 resulted in damage to an airplane. The pilot reported that the landing approach was normal. At touchdown on the main landing gear, wind gusts changed and caused the airplane to bounce off of the nose gear. The pilot attempted to settle the airplane back on the main gear, but it bounced higher and continued bouncing at least three more times, veering to the left and into the grass.

Weather Conditions

The weather reporting station located at the accident airport recorded the wind as 330 degrees at 6 knots. No gusts were recorded.

Sequence of Events

According to the pilot, the landing approach was uneventful. Upon touchdown on the main landing gear, shifting wind gusts caused the airplane to bounce onto the nose gear. The pilot tried to recover by settling the aircraft back onto the main gear, but instead the airplane bounced higher. This bouncing motion continued at least three additional times, during which the airplane veered left and eventually rolled into the grass alongside the runway.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 16 Jul 2003 Piper PA-34-220T accident near Port Huron, MI?

A pilot reported a normal approach to runway 28, but at touchdown wind gusts caused the airplane to bounce off the nose gear. The aircraft bounced several times, veered left, and ended up on grass, resulting in damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 16 Jul 2003 Piper PA-34-220T accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 16 Jul 2003 involved a Piper PA-34-220T, registration N5359J, at Port Huron, MI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot misjudging the flare during landing, and his inadequate remedial action resulting in the inadvertent porpoise of the airplane.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030827X01417. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.