This April 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: Stevensville, Del. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The private pilot made a straight-in approach to land. He felt he was too high and fast and did a go-around. He reported that on the next landing approach he got behind the airplane, and again approached too high and fast, but landed anyway. The airplane ran off the end of the runway and into a barrier.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. According to a witness at the airport, on both approaches the airplane was high and fast, and that on the second approach the pilot forced the airplane onto the runway abruptly.
Probable cause: The pilot’s misjudged speed/distance during landing.
For more information: NTSB.gov
