NTSB Factual Report

On August 10, 2016, about 0730 eastern daylight time, a Piper J5C airplane, N30313, impacted a ditch after landing at Sandusky City Airport (Y83), Sandusky, Michigan. The private rated pilot sustained minor injuries and the pilot rated passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed from Dupont-Lapeer Airport (D95), Lapeer, Michigan, about 0630.

The pilot stated that they arrived at Y83 and completed one full stop landing on runway 18. They departed runway 18, entered the traffic pattern, and intended to land on runway 36. The pilot noted that the touchdown was normal, but the airplane veered to the right and impacted a ditch. The pilot noted that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot had no other memory of the accident sequence.

The pilot rated passenger, seated in the rear seat, stated that the approach was stable, but during the landing the airplane "bounced pretty good," enough for the airplane became airborne again. The airplane bounced 2 to 3 times and veered right. The airplane began to gain altitude and then dropped into the ditch. He did not recall the right wing contacting anything prior to the impact with the ditch. The passenger had no other memory of the accident sequence.

The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector conducted a postaccident examination of the airplane and found no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. He reported that the left wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage during the impact sequence.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and a subsequent loss of control followed by a runway excursion.