Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-24-260 near Everglades City, FL — 2014-10-18

Final reportERA15CA021
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Date
2014-10-18
Location
Everglades City, FL, USA
Airport
X01
Aircraft
PIPER PA-24-260
Registration
N254WM
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's improper approach to landing and his failure to perform a go-around, which resulted in a runway overshoot, runway excursion, and collision with vegetation and water.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, the flight was uneventful; however, as he flared the airplane in ground effect, it floated and overran the runway coming to rest inverted, in about 6 feet of water. He was unable to recall if he applied power to the engine in order to perform a go-around. An eyewitness reported that the airplane's landing gear did not make contact with the runway surface and subsequently contacted mangrove vegetation at the departure end of the runway prior to the airplane nosing over into the water. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or abnormalities with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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