No fatalities

27 Aug 2017: PIPER J5A — Springfield, VT

Springfield, VT, United States

On 27 Aug 2017, a PIPER J5A UNDESIGNAT was involved in an aviation accident near Springfield, VT. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's unstabilized approach, which resulted in landing long and fast, and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from trees during a go-around. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

The pilot of a tailwheel airplane reported landing too high and fast on grass, then attempting a go-around but lacking room to clear trees, resulting in impact and substantial damage to the right wing, fuselage, and windscreen.

Accident Details

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during a landing on grass adjacent to a hard-surfaced runway, the airplane approached "too high and landed too fast." The pilot stated he was "not sure" if he could stop the airplane in the remaining distance, so he "decided to go-around, but did not leave myself [himself] enough room to clear the trees" at the end of the landing area. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and came to a stop.

Pilot Report

The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was variable and that he landed parallel to runway 29.

Weather Information

An automated weather observation station at the airport, about the time of the accident, reported wind from 320° at 5 knots.

Damage

The right wing, fuselage, and windscreen sustained substantial damage.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotIncorrect use/operation

Other contributing factors

Effect on operation