Piper PA 22 accident near Orangeburg, South Carolina, September 28, 2017
On September 28, 2017 at about 3:00 pm local time, a 1961 Piper PA 22, registered N4734Z, was destroyed in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Orangeburg, South Carolina (Orangeburg Muni 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
A failed main landing gear tire for reasons that could not be determined due to postcrash fire damage.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 28, 2017 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Orangeburg, South Carolina · Orangeburg Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA 22 108, built 1961 · all PA 22s on the register
- Registration
- N4734Z · no longer on the register · serial 22-8282
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during touchdown, the right main landing gear tire failed. Subsequently, the airplane veered to the right, and a postimpact fire ensued. The airplane was destroyed during the postimpact fire. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll)
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 541 hours in all; 287 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 365 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 27, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,321.2 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-CIB (piston); 3,321 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 3J1 Ridgeland SC at 2:00 pm
- Destination: OGB Orangeburg SC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 05, 4,508 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from KOGB
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on April 24, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.