Accident Overview
On March 21, 2012, at 1916 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150 airplane, registration N2389P, was substantially damaged during a landing attempt at Gross Airport (52I) in Pinconning, Michigan. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was operated by a private individual under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
Flight History
The flight departed James Clements Municipal Airport (3CM) in Bay City, Michigan, around 1858 and was destined for Gross Airport. The pilot entered the traffic pattern for runway 27 (2,565 feet by 100 feet, grass/turf) on a left downwind leg. While turning onto final approach, he encountered intense glare from the setting sun in the west, which obscured his view of the runway and threshold markers. After confirming the airplane was aligned with the runway, he determined there was insufficient runway remaining for a safe landing and executed a go-around. During the go-around, he put on sunglasses and installed a windshield sun-screen to reduce glare.
On the second approach, the glare was reduced but still prevented the pilot from identifying the runway or threshold markers. He aligned the airplane with what he thought was the runway and continued descending until he unexpectedly saw trees ahead. He applied full engine power, but the airplane impacted the trees and then the ground. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures.
Witness Report
The airport manager reported being alerted by a sudden increase in engine power during the final approach. He did not see the airplane hit the trees but witnessed it crash in a residential property immediately north of the airport. After the accident, the pilot told the manager that the sun glare had obscured his vision during the initial approach, prompting a go-around.
Examination
FAA inspectors conducted an on-site examination. The airplane had collided with trees before striking a north/south power line running parallel to a nearby road. Broken tree branches were found between the tree line and the main wreckage. Tree bark was embedded in the outboard left wing leading edge. A section of power/utility line was wrapped around the upper vertical stabilizer and rudder. The debris path was consistent with the airplane traveling westbound when it hit the obstacles.
A handheld GPS device found at the site provided data consistent with the pilot's and airport manager's descriptions. It showed the pilot made two approaches to runway 27: the first roughly aligned with the northern edge of the runway, and the second aligned about 300 feet north of the runway.
Weather and Astronomical Data
The closest weather station, Jack Barstow Airport (KIKW), about 18 miles southwest, reported at 1914: wind 220° at 6 knots, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet, temperature 29°C, dew point 10°C, altimeter 30.06 inHg. Astronomical data from the U.S. Naval Observatory indicated local sunset at 1950, about 34 minutes after the accident, with civil twilight ending at 2019.