On July 29, 2000, a Piper PA-32-300 (registration N934PH) operated by Kennewick Aircraft Svcs, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Birkenfeld, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's delayed go-around, which resulted in the aircraft not clearing the fence posts. A contributing factor was the fence posts. 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.
A Piper PA-32-300 pilot aborted a landing on a grass field after floating during approach. During climbout, the aircraft struck fence posts, resulting in separation of the right main landing gear and damage to the stabilator.
Incident Overview
A pilot flying a Piper PA-32-300 arrived at his intended destination but found the landing strip unmowed. He diverted to a nearby 1,650-foot-long grass field and set up for an uphill landing to the east. During the final approach and landing, he reported that he "allowed the plane to float using too much ground roll for roll out" and subsequently aborted the landing.
Impact and Damage
During the initial climbout, the aircraft's right main landing gear and left outboard wing underside impacted several fence posts. The right main landing gear wheel and strut separated from the aircraft and struck the leading edge of the right horizontal stabilator. Despite the damage, the pilot was able to continue the climbout and successfully land the aircraft at another location.