NTSB Factual Report

On October 19, 2003, about 1540 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-300, N198GM, registered to and operated by TCA Management Group Inc., as a Title 14 CFR part 91 personal flight, undershot the runway at Everglades City, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airline transport-rated pilot was not injured, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated in Everglades City, Florida, the same day, about 1530.

The pilot stated that he had just taken off from Everglades City Airpark, with the intention to fly the airplane to Pahokee, Florida, and further stated that after the airplane became airborne, the forward baggage compartment opened. He said he then entered the traffic pattern to land at the same airport he had just departed from, and that the approach was normal, but while on short final the descent rate increased, and the main landing gear contacted the ground about 5 feet short of the runway. He said the airplane then bounced on the runway surface, and continued about 1,200 feet down the centerline of the runway before the left main landing gear broke away from the airplane. The airplane then departed to the left side of the runway and into the grass. He also said that prior to the accident there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glide path during the approach to land, which resulted in him undershooting the runway.