Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 32R near Kwigillingok, AK — 2017-12-14

Final reportGAA18CA088
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Date
2017-12-14
Location
Kwigillingok, AK, USA
Airport
GGV
Aircraft
PIPER PA 32R
Registration
N8209C
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to land with the sun in his eyes, which resulted in a short landing.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he landed on runway 15 instead of runway 33 because he did not want to make a 180° turn and taxi back on the runway. He reported that, when he turned to final, the sun was in his eyes and the airplane landed short. During landing, the right main landing gear collided with "deep snow" during the flare, and the airplane veered to the right and collided with a snow berm. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing spar, horizontal stabilizer and the fuselage. The pilot reported that this accident could have been prevented if he had used runway 33 and not had the sun in his eyes during landing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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