On November 11, 2006, a Piper PA-11 (registration N4549M) was involved in an aviation accident near Van Hornsville, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported that while on final approach to his grass runway, his attention was drawn to a truck on a perpendicular road, causing the airplane to drift right and strike a tree before impacting the ground.
Incident Overview
A pilot reported that during a final approach to his own grass runway, he observed a truck traveling on a road perpendicular to the runway. According to the pilot, his attention became focused on the truck, leading to a rightward drift of the airplane. The right wing subsequently contacted a tree, after which the airplane impacted the ground.
Pilot Statement
The pilot stated that his concentration on the truck likely caused the drift, noting that no mechanical issues were present with the airplane. The pilot did not report any injuries or fatalities.
Investigation Findings
No mechanical deficiencies were identified with the aircraft. The pilot's account highlights the role of visual distraction in the sequence of events.