On February 9, 2004, a Piper PA-32-260 (registration N1563X) operated by David Prewitt was involved in an aviation accident near Collegeville, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during approach to the runway. Factors in the accident were the dark night and snowbank. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane struck tree limbs on final approach at night, then hit a snowbank shearing off the right landing gear. After a go-around, the aircraft veered off the runway upon landing.
Event Description
During a night approach, the airplane's right wing struck one or more limbs of a tree. The pilot continued the approach toward the runway, and the aircraft subsequently struck a snowbank located 100 feet before the runway threshold. The impact sheared off the right landing gear.
The pilot then applied power and executed a go-around, flying down the runway to observe further obstructions. After that, the pilot returned to land on the opposite end of the runway (the departure end). During the landing touchdown, the airplane swerved off the right side of the runway and came to rest in the grass.
Airport Information
According to the Northeast U.S. Airport Facility Directory, a "tree" notation is listed for runway 27 at N10.