No fatalities

PIPER PA-28RT-201T accident at Placerville, CA, 20 Dec 2024

Placerville, CA, United States

On December 20, 2024, a PIPER PA-28RT-201T operated by SARGEANT MICHAEL C was involved in an aviation accident near Placerville, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate descent rate during the landing approach, which resulted in an impact with terrain short of the runway threshold. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 11 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate descent rate during the landing approach, which resulted in an impact with terrain short of the runway threshold.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

PilotDescent rate — Not attained/maintainedAirspeed — Not attained/maintainedContributed to outcome

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 20 Dec 2024 PIPER PA-28RT-201T accident near Placerville, CA?

The pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate descent rate during the landing approach, which resulted in an impact with terrain short of the runway threshold.

Were there any fatalities in the 20 Dec 2024 PIPER PA-28RT-201T accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 20 Dec 2024 involved a PIPER PA-28RT-201T, operated by SARGEANT MICHAEL C, at Placerville, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate descent rate during the landing approach, which resulted in an impact with terrain short of the runway threshold.