No fatalities

11 Aug 2016: PIPER PA28 181 — WESTERN NEW YORK FLYING CLUB INC — Hamburg, NY

Hamburg, NY, United States

On 11 Aug 2016, a PIPER PA28 181 operated by WESTERN NEW YORK FLYING CLUB INC was involved in an aviation accident near Hamburg, NY. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot mistook a road for the runway, which resulted in the airplane being above the normal approach path for landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 13 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported mistaking a road for the runway while about 7 nautical miles from the airport, resulting in a high approach and long touchdown. The airplane overran the runway, the landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck a guard rail, sustaining substantial damage.

Incident Overview

According to the pilot's report, while approximately 7 nautical miles from the airport, the pilot misidentified a road as the runway. This error caused the airplane to be higher than the normal approach path for landing.

Pilot's Account

The pilot stated that after realizing the mistake, he reduced engine power to idle, extended full flaps, and performed a side slip maneuver. Despite these actions, the airplane did not touch down until about halfway to three-quarters down the runway length.

Sequence of Events

The airplane subsequently overran the end of the runway. During the overrun, the landing gear collapsed, and the right wing impacted a guard rail located on a road approximately 550 feet beyond the runway threshold.

Damage

The right wing sustained substantial damage from the impact with the guard rail.

Mechanical Condition

The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have prevented normal operation.

Probable cause

The pilot mistook a road for the runway, which resulted in the airplane being above the normal approach path for landing.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotLanding distance — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcomeDescent/approach/glide path — Not attained/maintained