Casualties unknown

Aircraft Overruns Runway After Bouncing on Wet Grass (N5060P)

Middlesex, NY, US

On June 10, 1987, a Piper PA-24-180 (registration N5060P) operated by Clark W. Rath was involved in an aviation accident near Middlesex, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and stop the aircraft on the wet, freshly mowed runway after a bounce during rollout, which resulted in an overrun and collision with a tree stump. 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 rollout on a wet, freshly mowed runway, the aircraft bounced after hitting a dip and failed to stop before colliding with a tree stump at the end of the pavement.

What happened

The pilot reported that the flight proceeded normally until the approach phase. A normal touchdown was achieved at approximately 75 mph, occurring about one-third of the way down the runway. During the initial rollout, the aircraft encountered a dip in the surface which caused it to become airborne again momentarily.

After the second touchdown, the pilot applied brakes to slow the aircraft. However, the combination of the wet conditions and the freshly mowed grass surface significantly reduced traction. The aircraft was unable to stop on the runway pavement and continued moving forward until it ran off the end of the runway. Upon exiting the paved surface, the aircraft collided with a tree stump located near the runway threshold.

The investigation

The physical evidence indicated that the primary failure to stop occurred due to inadequate braking effectiveness on the specific surface conditions present at the time of the accident. The wet and freshly mowed grass provided insufficient friction for the aircraft's braking system to halt the momentum generated during the bounce.

Findings

Contributing factors included the wet runway surface and the freshly mowed grass which reduced braking efficiency. The aircraft bounced upon initial touchdown, delaying effective brake application and increasing stopping distance requirements beyond the available runway length.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and stop the aircraft on the wet, freshly mowed runway after a bounce during rollout, which resulted in an overrun and collision with a tree stump.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X31309. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.