Piper PA-28R-180 accident near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, November 5, 2012
On November 5, 2012 at about 4:50 pm local time, a Piper PA-28R-180, registered N4534J, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Fort Lauderdale Exec. airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The collapse of the right main landing gear during landing for reasons that could not be duplicated or determined during the postaccident investigation because of the initial unavailability of the airplane after the accident.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 5, 2012 · about 4:50 pm local time
- Place
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida · Fort Lauderdale Exec. · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R-180 · all PA-28R-180s on the register
- Registration
- N4534J · registry record · serial 28R-30393
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot lowered the landing gear during the approach and the three green landing gear indicator lights illuminated. About 500 to 600 feet after the airplane touched down, the pilot applied the brakes and the right main landing gear collapsed. An annual inspection, which involved servicing and inspecting the main landing gear, was completed 10 days before the accident. Due to the inaccessibility of the airplane, a postaccident examination of the landing gear was performed 8 months after the accident, at which time a mechanic placed the airplane on jacks, conducted an operational check of the landing gear, and examined the landing gear and its components for defects. The examination revealed evidence of corrosion, binding, and a lack of lubrication in the right main landing gear down-lock; however, the airplane was stored outside for 8 months after the accident, and it is possible that the corrosion and binding of the right main landing gear were the result of its exposure to the elements during that time.
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
- Landing gear collapse during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,850 hours in all; 600 in this make and model; 150 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 5,850 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 1, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,240 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 25, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO 360 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: World Services LLC
The flight
- Departed from: MYBS South Bimini at 4:15 pm
- Destination: FXE Fort Lauderdale FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 31, 4,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 1,800 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from FXE
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.