1991-07-02: Piper PA-32R-300 — Catskill Transportation — Rhinebeck, NY

Casualties unknown • Rhinebeck, NY, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT DID NOT CALCULATED THE AIRPLANE'S PERFORMANCE DATA TO INSURE THAT HE HAD ENOUGH RUNWAY TO CLEAR AN OBSTACLE AT THE END OF THE FIELD, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING GEAR STRIKING HIGH HEDGES, SUBSEQUENTLY THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND IN A FIELD AND IMPACTED WITH A FENCE. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S OVER CONFIDENCE IN THE AIRPLANE'S PERFORMANCE.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

DURING TAKE OFF FROM A FARM FIELD THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING GEAR STRUCK THE TOP OF A HIGH HEDGE ABOUT 1800 FEET FROM THE INITIAL TAKE OFF POINT. THE PILOT CUT THE POWER AND ELECTED TO LAND IN AN ADJOINING FIELD. THE AIRPLANE SLID ON WET GRASS, HIT A FENCE WITH THE LEFT WING, HIT ANOTHER FENCE WITH THE RIGHT WING AND TURNED 180 DEGREES BEFORE COMING TO REST.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1991-07-02 Piper PA-32R-300 accident near Rhinebeck, NY?

DURING TAKE OFF FROM A FARM FIELD THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING GEAR STRUCK THE TOP OF A HIGH HEDGE ABOUT 1800 FEET FROM THE INITIAL TAKE OFF POINT. THE PILOT CUT THE POWER AND ELECTED TO LAND IN AN ADJOINING FIELD. THE AIRPLANE SLID ON WET GRASS, HIT A FENCE WITH THE LEFT WING, HIT ANOTHER FENCE WITH THE RIGHT WING AND…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1991-07-02 involved a Piper PA-32R-300, registration N5002F, operated by Catskill Transportation, at Rhinebeck, NY.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT DID NOT CALCULATED THE AIRPLANE'S PERFORMANCE DATA TO INSURE THAT HE HAD ENOUGH RUNWAY TO CLEAR AN OBSTACLE AT THE END OF THE FIELD, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING GEAR STRIKING HIGH HEDGES, SUBSEQUENTLY THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND IN A FIELD AND IMPACTED WITH A FENCE. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE…

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X17659. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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