Pilot Debrief

Piper PA-28-140 near New Philadelphia, OH — 2011-06-25

Final reportCEN11LA426
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Date
2011-06-25
Location
New Philadelphia, OH, USA
Airport
KPHD
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Registration
N6980W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's incorrect identification of the wind direction before landing, which resulted in a tailwind landing and subsequent runway excursion.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, before entering the traffic pattern, he observed that the airport's windsock was limp and that, based on that information, he decided land to the southeast. He stated that, while on final approach, he encountered a strong wind gust that resulted in the airplane touching down past the touchdown zone. He noted that the airplane was too far down the runway to safely abort the landing, so he elected to steer the airplane into a field located off the right side of the runway, and the left wing collided with an electrical service box. A postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. A review of historical wind data indicated that the prevailing wind had been from the north-northwest between 7 and 11 knots during the previous three hours. The pilot's description of the airplane floating past the desired touchdown zone, which resulted in insufficient runway for the landing roll, was consistent with an attempted tailwind landing.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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