Probable cause
The pilot misjudging the flare and not maintaining airspeed during the landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he and a safety pilot were on a simulated instrument flight rules cross country flight. He said that while on final the airplane "got too slow." During the flare the airplane "quit flying and dropped short" of the prepared runway surface. The pilot reported the airplane landed hard "resulting in damage to aircraft." No mechanical malfunctions were reported reference the flight.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CHI08CA140 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 24, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Sandusky, Ohio
- Nearest airport
- Griffing Sandusky (SKY)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-34-200T
- N-number
- N31982
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.