Piper PA 28R-200 accident near La Pointe, Wisconsin, May 24, 2014
On May 24, 2014 at about 5:15 pm local time, a 1974 Piper PA 28R-200, registered N32195, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near La Pointe, Wisconsin (Major Gilbert Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 24, 2014 · about 5:15 pm local time
- Place
- La Pointe, Wisconsin · Major Gilbert Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA 28R-200 200, built 1974 · all PA 28R-200s on the register
- Registration
- N32195 · no longer on the register · serial 28R-7535033
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the airplane encountered a strong gust of wind from the right during final approach to an island airport. The pilot applied aileron and rudder to correct, but the airplane touched down "awkwardly" on the runway. The pilot then applied back pressure on the yoke and the airplane became airborne before landing hard onto the runway. The airplane then veered to the right then to the left at which time it departed the left side of the runway. The right wing separated from the airplane when it contacted a tree before the airplane came to rest. The recorded wind condition at an airport located 18 miles from the accident site had a variable direction at 5 knots.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 380 hours in all; 211 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 313 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 16, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,829 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 10, 2013; 120 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1C (piston); 120 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LJF Litchfield MN
- Destination: 4R5 La Pointe WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 3,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from ASX, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.