No fatalities

PIPER PA-34-200T accident at Chelan, WA, 22 Jul 2021

Chelan, WA, United States

On July 22, 2021, a PIPER PA-34-200T operated by BRITISH AUTOMOTIVE LTD DBA was involved in an aviation accident near Chelan, WA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s unstable approach to land in turbulent conditions, which resulted in a hard landing short of the runway and subsequent loss of directional control and collision with terrain. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot’s unstable approach to land in turbulent conditions, which resulted in a hard landing short of the runway and subsequent loss of directional control and collision with terrain.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Descent/approach/glide path — Not attained/maintainedEffect on equipmentPilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 22 Jul 2021 PIPER PA-34-200T accident near Chelan, WA?

The pilot’s unstable approach to land in turbulent conditions, which resulted in a hard landing short of the runway and subsequent loss of directional control and collision with terrain.

Were there any fatalities in the 22 Jul 2021 PIPER PA-34-200T accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 22 Jul 2021 involved a PIPER PA-34-200T, operated by BRITISH AUTOMOTIVE LTD DBA, at Chelan, WA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s unstable approach to land in turbulent conditions, which resulted in a hard landing short of the runway and subsequent loss of directional control and collision with terrain.