On May 7, 2004, a Piper PA-28-181 (registration N21131) was involved in an aviation accident near Many, LA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of navigational situational awareness during a cross-country flight, which led to a hard landing at an alternate airport. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A private pilot with 287 hours of experience became lost during a cross-country flight. An air traffic controller directed him to an alternate airport, where he executed a hard landing.
What happened
During a cross-country flight, the private pilot, who had accumulated 287 hours of total time, became disoriented and lost. At some point during the flight, the pilot contacted air traffic control for assistance. An air traffic controller provided navigation guidance and directed the pilot to an alternate airport.
Upon reaching the alternate airport, the pilot attempted to land but executed a hard landing. Following the incident, the pilot stated that he found the airport and made a bad landing.
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of navigational situational awareness during a cross-country flight, which led to a hard landing at an alternate airport.
What happened in the 7 May 2004 Piper PA-28-181 accident near Many, LA?
A private pilot with 287 hours of experience became lost during a cross-country flight. An air traffic controller directed him to an alternate airport, where he executed a hard landing.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 7 May 2004 involved a Piper PA-28-181, registration N21131, at Many, LA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's loss of navigational situational awareness during a cross-country flight, which led to a hard landing at an alternate airport.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…