This February 2008 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Piper Cherokee. Injuries: None. Location: Dallas, Texas. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The private pilot was attempting to land on a 3,080-foot by 80-foot-wide asphalt runway. The approach speed was higher than normal and the airplane touched down just beyond the runway numbers. During the landing roll-out, the pilot retracted the flaps and applied brake pressure, but determined there was insufficient runway length to safely stop the airplane, so he decided to abort the landing. He added full power and attempted to take off again. The airplane did not acquire sufficient altitude to clear obstacles at the end of the runway and the airplane hit two trees, then flew another 200 feet, before it came to rest on a parkway. The airplane’s left and right wings sustained structural damage.
Probable cause: The pilot’s delay in aborting the landing.
For more information: NTSB.gov
