On 28 Jun 2015, a PIPER PA 28-180 180 operated by RMG PARTNERS CORP was involved in an aviation accident near Novato, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper pitch control which resulted in a bounced landing, runway excursion, and collision with terrain. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During landing in a crosswind, the airplane bounced several times. The pilot, fearing an explosion after a perceived landing gear failure, steered off the runway into grass, impacting a ditch and causing substantial damage.
Incident Overview
The pilot reported that during the landing, the airplane bounced several times while attempting to compensate for a right quartering crosswind. The pilot stated that he believed the landing gear had failed as a result of the hard landing. In fear of an explosion, he intentionally guided the airplane off the runway into the grass.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot, there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to or during the flight that would have precluded normal operation. The decision to steer off the runway was based on the perceived risk of explosion following the suspected landing gear failure.
Damage
As a result of the runway excursion, the airplane impacted a ditch. The left wing separated from the fuselage, and the airplane sustained substantial damage.