Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-32-260 near Applegate, MI — 2012-05-12

Final reportCEN12LA339
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Date
2012-05-12
Location
Applegate, MI, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-32-260
Registration
N4727S
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Taxi

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to attempt to take off from an unimproved field, which resulted in a collapsed nose landing gear.

NTSB narrative

Earlier in the day, the pilot inadvertently landed on a plowed field; the airplane was not damaged during the landing. Later, the pilot returned and attempted to take off. The airplane's nose landing gear collapsed when it got stuck in the mud during the takeoff. The pilot reported that his intent was to taxi the airplane on local roads to a nearby airfield; however, in a recording of a conversation between the pilot and a flight service station agent, the pilot stated that he “got stuck in the mud on departure.” When asked by the agent if there was any damage to the airplane, he responded that there was. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen a safer route instead of taxiing on local roads.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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