On December 10, 1992, a Piper PA-28-235 (registration N9102W) operated by Paul B. Byram was involved in an aviation accident near Cheriton, VA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S IMPROPERLY PLANNED APPROACH, RESULTING IN A TOUCHDOWN TOO FAR DOWN THE RUNWAY, WITH EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED, AND THE SUBSEQUENT ENCOUNTER WITH SOFT TERRAIN AND NOSE OVER. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot attempting to land on a grass airstrip touched down with excessive speed, resulting in nil braking action. The aircraft ground looped and flipped over after the nose gear sank into soft terrain.
What happened
The pilot was conducting a landing operation at an unimproved grass airstrip. According to the pilot's account, the touchdown occurred approximately halfway down the available runway surface with an indicated airspeed of 80 mph. The pilot reported that braking action was nil, necessitating a planned ground loop maneuver at the end of the usable pavement.
During the execution of this maneuver, the nose gear encountered soft ground conditions. The aircraft subsequently flipped over. An accompanying FAA report corroborated the pilot's statement regarding the landing parameters, noting that the touchdown occurred with excessive speed for the surface conditions.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 10 Dec 1992 Piper PA-28-235 accident near Cheriton, VA?
A pilot attempting to land on a grass airstrip touched down with excessive speed, resulting in nil braking action. The aircraft ground looped and flipped over after the nose gear sank into soft terrain.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 10 Dec 1992 involved a Piper PA-28-235, registration N9102W, operated by Paul B. Byram, at Cheriton, VA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE PILOT'S IMPROPERLY PLANNED APPROACH, RESULTING IN A TOUCHDOWN TOO FAR DOWN THE RUNWAY, WITH EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED, AND THE SUBSEQUENT ENCOUNTER WITH SOFT TERRAIN AND NOSE OVER.
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