Casualties unknown

Runway Excursion After Go-Around Decision on Final Approach (N7003P)

Centre, AL, US

On September 16, 1998, a Piper PA-24 (registration N7003P) was involved in an aviation accident near Centre, AL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the pilot to attain the proper touchdown point and his delay in initiating a go-around during a high and fast approach. A factor was the ditch. 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 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported landing long on a 3,401-foot runway, unable to stop, causing the airplane to exit the runway and collide with a ditch, collapsing the left main landing gear.

Accident Sequence

The pilot entered the traffic pattern but did not see the wind sock. He entered the pattern to land on runway 27. During the final approach, the pilot observed that the airplane was high and fast. At the point he decided to go-around, he thought the airplane would be unable to clear trees ahead. He continued the approach instead of executing a go-around. The airplane touched down approximately two-thirds down the 3,401-foot-long runway.

Post-Landing Events

The pilot was unable to stop the airplane within the remaining runway. The airplane rolled off the end of the runway and collided with a ditch. During the collision, the left main landing gear collapsed.

Weather Conditions

A weather observation taken about 25 minutes after the accident from an airport located 25 nautical miles and 240 degrees from the accident airport revealed, in part, that the wind was from 150 degrees at 4 knots.

Pilot Observations

Post-accident, the pilot observed the wind sock and reported that it was operational.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X11132. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.