Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a runway light.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, while landing, the airplane encountered a sudden crosswind and drifted left. The airplane bounced on touchdown and then veered left, exited the runway, impacted a runway light, traveled through a ditch, and the main landing gear collapsed.
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.
The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 360° at 11 knots. The pilot was landing the airplane on runway 26.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA520 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 2, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Mackinac Island, Michigan
- Nearest airport
- Mackinac Island (MCD)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA32RT
- N-number
- N31934
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1978
- 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.