Probable cause
The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and subsequent loss of aircraft control.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, the approach looked "normal;" however, the airplane impacted the runway nose-landing-gear first and bounced on landing. He advanced the power levers on both engines and the airplane immediately turned to the left, impacted the ground with the left wing, pivoted approximately 270 degrees, and came to rest. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the nose, fuselage, left wing, and all three landing gear. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or abnormalities of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The recorded weather at the accident airport, around the time of the accident, indicated calm wind.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA14CA376 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 6, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Gulf Shores, Alabama
- Nearest airport
- Jack Edwards (JKA)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA 34-220T
- N-number
- N212RW
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1981
- 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.