On June 3, 2006, a Piper PA-32R-301T (registration N4174Z) operated by Ezra Howington was involved in an aviation accident near Gualala, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's misjudged distance and speed, which resulted in a runway overrun. A contributing factor was the hump in the runway. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane overran the departure end of a 2,500-foot runway during landing, causing the landing gear to collapse. A hump in the middle of the runway reduced landing visibility.
Incident Overview
An airplane overran the departure end of a 2,500-foot runway during landing. The landing gear collapsed as a result of the overrun. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.
Runway Conditions
The runway featured a hump in its middle section. According to the pilot, this hump decreased visibility during the landing approach, making it difficult to assess the remaining runway length.
Pilot Statement
The pilot stated that when he realized he needed to perform a go-around, he did not have sufficient runway available to safely execute the procedure. He further noted that the aircraft experienced no mechanical issues throughout the flight.