On February 22, 1987, a Piper PA-28-180 (registration N3967R) operated by Osprey Flying Club was involved in an aviation accident near Colebrook, NH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to land on a contaminated runway to avoid a frost heave, which resulted in an overrun. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot elected to land on Runway 21 to avoid a frost heave, resulting in a long landing on an icy surface that caused the aircraft to overrun into a snowbank and ditch.
What happened
The pilot reported that upon arriving at the airport, the wind had shifted to the northeast. Despite this change in conditions, he elected to land on Runway 21 specifically to avoid a frost heave located on the runway surface. To bypass the hazard, the pilot landed long. However, the runway was icy, and he was unable to stop the aircraft within the available distance.
The aircraft continued off the departure end of the runway and ran into a snowbank and ditch. In retrospect, the pilot believed that he should have executed a go-around and landed into the wind instead of attempting the landing on the contaminated surface.
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to land on a contaminated runway to avoid a frost heave, which resulted in an overrun.
What happened in the 22 Feb 1987 Piper PA-28-180 accident near Colebrook, NH?
A pilot elected to land on Runway 21 to avoid a frost heave, resulting in a long landing on an icy surface that caused the aircraft to overrun into a snowbank and ditch.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 22 Feb 1987 involved a Piper PA-28-180, registration N3967R, operated by Osprey Flying Club, at Colebrook, NH.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's decision to land on a contaminated runway to avoid a frost heave, which resulted in an overrun.
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