Probable cause
The pilot's improper landing flare and subsequent improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a collision with terrain.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that during a landing attempt at the destination airport, she flared the airplane too early, and the airplane bounced. While the airplane became airborne from the bounce, she overcorrected, and the airplane yawed right. The airplane right wing tip then struck an ice bank along the right side of the runway. The pilot overcorrected to the left, and the airplane impacted a snow/ice bank on the left side of the runway and came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and an engine mount. The pilot stated there was no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN25LA085 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 20, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Mount Vernon, Illinois
- Nearest airport
- Mount Vernon Airport (MVN)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-28-235
- N-number
- N8997W
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1964
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.