Piper PA28 accident near Gilbert, South Carolina, May 27, 2017
On May 27, 2017 at about 5:00 pm local time, a 1966 Piper PA28, registered N5544J, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Gilbert, South Carolina (Whiteplains airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper glidepath in variable wind conditions, which resulted in the airplane impacting terrain short of the runway threshold.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 27, 2017 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Gilbert, South Carolina · Whiteplains · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28 140, built 1966 · all PA28s on the register
- Registration
- N5544J · no longer on the register · serial 28-22075
- 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, during the final approach to land, the airplane encountered a "swirling wind due to [the] high trees on final approach." Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain about 10 to 12 ft short of the runway threshold, the nosewheel collapsed, and the airplane skidded to a stop as it continued forward onto the runway. The engine mount sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station, about 12 nautical miles from the accident airport, recorded wind from 130° at 7 knots. The pilot reported that the landing was on runway 27.
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
- Other weather encounter during approach (VFR pattern final)
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR pattern final)
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 › Descent/approach/glide path › Incorrect use/operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Variable wind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,046 hours in all; 60 in this make and model; 7.1 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: May 17, 2017
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,865 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2A (piston); 2,865 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SC99 Gilbert SC at 3:30 pm
- Destination: SC99 Gilbert SC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 3,000 ft by 35 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 18,000 ft; a few clouds at 4,200 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 4:56 pm from KCAE, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.
Other NTSB records under N5544J the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.