1997-09-28: Piper PA-32-300 — Stuart Island, WA

Casualties unknown • Stuart Island, WA, US

Probable cause

The pilot's improper decision to land on a wet grass runway with a ten knot tailwind. Factors were the wet runway surface and tailwind.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot elected to land on the 2,100-foot long grass runway with a tailwind of about 10 knots. After the aircraft passed the middle of the runway, the pilot realized that the aircraft would not stop in the remaining distance. Knowing that there was a downhill overrun that ended in the water, as the aircraft neared the end of the runway, the pilot elected to turn off the runway onto up-sloping terrain covered by tall grass. While rolling through the tall grass, the aircraft encountered a drainage ditch, resulting in the collapse of the nose gear and one main gear.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1997-09-28 Piper PA-32-300 accident near Stuart Island, WA?

The pilot elected to land on the 2,100-foot long grass runway with a tailwind of about 10 knots. After the aircraft passed the middle of the runway, the pilot realized that the aircraft would not stop in the remaining distance. Knowing that there was a downhill overrun that ended in the water, as the aircraft neared…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1997-09-28 involved a Piper PA-32-300, registration N55629, at Stuart Island, WA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's improper decision to land on a wet grass runway with a ten knot tailwind. Factors were the wet runway surface and tailwind.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X08940. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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