PIPER PA28
St. Joseph, IL — July 30, 2017
Event Information
| Date | July 30, 2017 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA17CA452 |
| Event ID | 20170731X84928 |
| Location | St. Joseph, IL |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 40.06500, -88.02528 |
| Airport | ROUTH |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | PA28 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | NITE |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 4 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in the nose landing gear collapsing and subsequent loss of directional control.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that, while landing at night, the threshold and right side runway lights were out of service at the airport. He added that, he "must have been closer [to the ground] than [he] estimated" on approach because the airplane landed flat. Subsequently, the nose landing gear collapsed, the airplane veered left and he attempted to correct with right rudder. The airplane came to rest left of the runway in an adjacent cornfield.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.