Probable cause
The pilot's improper landing flare in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a bounced landing and landing gear collapse.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, while landing with gusting winds, the airplane bounced several times. During the last bounce, the nose landing gear and the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane veered right, exited the runway, and came to rest in the adjacent grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA435 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 26, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- State College, Pennsylvania
- Nearest airport
- University Park (UNV)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA34
- N-number
- N497SA
- 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.