No fatalities

2 Aug 2014: PIPER PA-46-350P — ETS AVIATION LLC — Statesville, NC

Statesville, NC, United States
SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot landed long and departed the runway during a localizer-only approach in night IMC with a 400-foot ceiling, resulting in substantial damage.

Accident Details

The pilot reported that she was conducting an instrument landing system (ILS) approach when she noticed the glide slope was out of service. She transitioned to a localizer-only approach and continued the descent. Night, instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed with a 400-foot ceiling.

Approach and Landing

During the final approach, the pilot observed that the airplane was "high and fast." To compensate, she deployed speed brakes and flaps to reduce speed and descend to the minimum descent altitude. As the airplane descended below the ceiling, she saw the runway lights and attempted to land on the runway. However, the airplane landed long, overran the departure end of the runway, and struck an embankment before coming to rest.

Post-Accident Examination

An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examined the airplane and confirmed substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. The pilot stated that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause

No probable cause was stated in the investigation source.

Contributing factors

Causes

Descent/approach/glide path — Not attained/maintainedAirspeed — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome