Introduction
On July 14, 2012, about 1021 central daylight time, a Piper model PA-32-300 airplane, registration N1127X, sustained substantial damage while landing at Elkader Airport (I27) near Elkader, Iowa. The private pilot received minor injuries, and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by Wild River Flying Club, LLC, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Day instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The flight departed L.O. Simenstad Municipal Airport (KOEO), Osceola, Wisconsin, at 0910.
Flight Narrative
The pilot reported descending from 5,500 feet to 2,000 feet mean sea level to remain clear of clouds. The flight encountered light rain and reduced visibility. The pilot performed a 180-degree turn while considering diversion, and during the turn observed that weather had closed in behind, but then established visual contact with the destination as clouds moved past the airport. He overflew the airport and entered a left traffic pattern for runway 17 on the upwind leg. The airplane touched down within the first third of the runway with wing flaps fully extended. Braking was ineffective due to the wet grass runway. The pilot applied full engine power to abort the landing; although the airplane cleared trees beyond the departure end, it was pushed down into the tree line. The terrain sloped away from the runway, with treetops at or below runway elevation. The airplane came to rest in a 100-foot deep wooded ravine, substantially damaging the fuselage and both wings. The pilot noted no preimpact mechanical malfunctions.
Witness Information
Witnesses at the airport reported that the airplane overflew at approximately 1020 during heavy rain and lightning. A few minutes later, they heard the airplane attempting to land on runway 17 but subsequently could not locate it while driving the runway length.
Weather Conditions
Based on weather radar data and witness observations, localized instrument flight rule (IFR) conditions existed due to thunderstorms and heavy rain at the destination. The nearest weather station, Prairie du Chien Municipal Airport (KPDC) about 15 miles northeast, reported at 1035: wind 130 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 3 miles with light rain, scattered clouds at 1,100 feet agl, broken ceiling at 3,800 feet agl, overcast at 4,900 feet agl, temperature 20°C, dew point 20°C, altimeter 30.04 inHg.
Investigation Findings
On-site investigation by local law enforcement and FAA inspectors revealed visible tire tracks on the grass runway consistent with the accident airplane. The first marks were 741 feet from the departure end of runway 17, continuing past the threshold to where the terrain sloped away. A GPS handheld device found at the site plotted the airplane landing about halfway down the 1,705-foot runway, though exact touchdown could not be inferred. GPS data showed groundspeeds of 46 knots and 45 knots at 638 feet and 180 feet from the departure threshold, respectively, inconsistent with deceleration during landing roll. The final GPS point was 195 feet past the departure threshold.
Aircraft Performance Information
The pilot reported an accident weight of 2,858 pounds. The Piper PA-32-300 Pilot's Operating Manual (POM) lists a stall speed of 50 knots with flaps fully extended (40 degrees). Landing ground roll on a paved, level, dry surface with no headwind and maximum braking is about 575 feet. The POM does not provide distances for grass or wet surfaces; however, Civil Aviation Authority research indicates ground rolls increase 30 to 40 percent on wet grass, yielding an expected landing roll of 748 to 805 feet on a level wet grass runway without headwind and with maximum braking.