Casualties unknown

Precautionary Landing Ends with Runway Excursion and Undercarriage Damage (N7453P)

Meriden, CT, US

On December 2, 1984, a Piper PA-24-250 (registration N7453P) was involved in an aviation accident near Meriden, CT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During cruise, a pilot heard an abnormal sound from the left engine compartment and, having experienced previous issues with the newly installed engine, opted for a precautionary landing. The aircraft landed long and overran the runway, resulting in substantial undercarriage attachment fitting damage from rough terrain.

Incident Overview

While in cruise flight, the pilot detected an abnormal noise emanating from the left side of the engine compartment. Citing prior problems with the recently installed engine, the pilot decided to perform a precautionary landing at a nearby airport to investigate the source of the sound.

Landing and Excursion

The pilot reported that the landing was long. After touchdown, the aircraft was unable to stop before departing the end of the prepared runway surface. The subsequent terrain beyond the runway was rough, leading to substantial damage to the undercarriage attachment fitting.

Damage Assessment

Inspection revealed that the undercarriage attachment fitting sustained substantial damage as a direct result of the aircraft traversing rough terrain after the runway overrun. No other damage or injuries were noted in the available report.

Conclusion

The incident occurred during a precautionary landing prompted by an abnormal engine sound. The aircraft's inability to stop within the runway confines resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent structural damage.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X41880. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.