No fatalities

18 Jul 2017: PIPER PA 22 — Breckenridge, MI

Breckenridge, MI, United States

On 18 Jul 2017, a PIPER PA 22 was involved in an aviation accident near Breckenridge, MI. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Pilot reported pilot error due to fixating on the beginning of the grass and being oblivious to the height of the corn. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot practicing short-field landings on a private grass airstrip struck corn stalks, landed short, and nosed over after the right main gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage.

Accident Overview

A pilot was practicing short-field, touch-and-go landings on a private grass airstrip. The approach path passed over a cornfield and a road perpendicular to the airstrip's approach end.

Sequence of Events

During the final approach, the airplane's main landing gear struck corn stalks that were approximately 6 feet tall. The airplane landed short of the intended touchdown point and subsequently struck the road. The impact caused the right main landing gear to collapse. The airplane then slid across the road and onto the grass airstrip, where the nose dug into the grass and dirt, resulting in the airplane nosing over.

Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing strut and the rudder.

Pilot's Account

The pilot stated that the accident was due to pilot error, explaining, "I believe that I fixated on the beginning of the grass and was oblivious to the height of the corn." The pilot also reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable cause

Pilot reported pilot error due to fixating on the beginning of the grass and being oblivious to the height of the corn.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotEffect on equipment

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome