Piper PA-31-325 N3591P

Summary

On 9 September 2012 at about 11:10 local time, a Piper PA-31-325 registered N3591P, operated by Aeronational Inc, was involved in an accident near Washington, Pennsylvania, United States. 4 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 September 2012 at 11:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Washington, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Washington County Airport (AFJ)

Coordinates

40.1364, -80.2903

Aircraft

Piper PA-31-325

Registration

N3591P

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Aeronational Inc

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Washington → Bangor

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA12LA557

Nobody was injured.

The airplane’s encounter with a flock of geese during takeoff, which resulted in the airplane’s hard impact with the runway while the pilot maneuvered in an attempt to avoid the geese.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Shortly after the airplane lifted off the runway, the pilots observed a flock of geese approaching from the right. The pilot-in-command believed that the birds would impact the cockpit windows, so he pushed forward on the control yoke to descend and avoid such a collision. The airplane struck the runway hard and bounced back into the air. The pilots continued the takeoff and returned to the airport for an uneventful landing. Postaccident examination revealed structural damage to the airframe. Also, bird remains were found on the fuselage.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.