Casualties unknown

1997-09-28: Piper PA-32-300 (N55629) — Stuart Island, WA

Stuart Island, WA, US

On September 28, 1997, a Piper PA-32-300 (registration N55629) was involved in an aviation accident near Stuart Island, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: 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. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

During a landing on a short grass runway with a tailwind, the pilot turned off the runway to avoid a downhill water overrun, but the aircraft struck a ditch, collapsing the nose and one main gear.

The Incident

The pilot opted to land on a 2,100-foot grass runway with a tailwind of approximately 10 knots. After passing the midpoint of the runway, it became apparent that the aircraft would not come to a stop within the remaining distance. The pilot was aware that the runway ended in a downhill slope leading to water.

The Maneuver

As the aircraft neared the end of the runway, the pilot deliberately turned off the runway onto adjacent up-sloping terrain covered by tall grass. This decision was made to avoid an overrun into the water. While rolling through the tall grass, the aircraft encountered a drainage ditch.

Resulting Damage

The impact with the ditch caused the collapse of the nose gear and one main landing gear. The aircraft sustained damage as a result of the gear failure. No other details about injuries or further damage were provided in the source.

Conclusion

The pilot's action to divert onto rising terrain avoided a potential water overrun, but the presence of an unseen ditch led to the collapse of two landing gear assemblies. The source does not assign a probable cause for the incident.

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.