Accident Details
On April 26, 2018, at approximately 1715 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 402B (registration N87266) was substantially damaged during landing at Tanner-Hiller Airport (8B5) in Barre Plains, Massachusetts. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight was a local personal flight conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The flight had departed from Dillant-Hopkins Airport (EEN) in Keene, New Hampshire, around 1630.
According to the pilot, he attempted to land on runway 06 in gusty wind conditions, performing two go-arounds before the final approach. He described the wind as "bumpy" below the trees and made a steep approach consistent with a short-field landing. He flared about midfield, but the airplane continued to float down the runway, touching down further than normal despite a 95-knot approach speed with full flaps. After touchdown, maximum braking was applied, but the airplane overran the departure end of runway 06 and impacted trees. A post-impact fire ensued after the pilot and passengers egressed.
The pilot stated that he believed a wind rotor over the trees changed the wind direction to a quartering tailwind. He checked weather reports at three surrounding airports but did not trust them; he did not obtain a weather briefing before the flight.
An FAA inspector examined the wreckage, which came to rest about 300 feet past the end of the 3,027-foot-long runway. The left wing outboard of the left engine had struck trees, the left wingtip was separated, and the left horizontal stabilizer was damaged. All major components were present, and flight controls were functional.
Pilot Information
According to FAA records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine and multi-engine land. His most recent third-class medical certificate was issued on December 7, 2009. A review of his logbooks showed approximately 330 hours of total flight time, with 220 hours in multi-engine aircraft.
Weather Conditions
At 1654, the weather reported at Worcester Regional Airport (ORH), about 13 miles southeast of the accident site, included wind from 270° at 16 knots gusting to 27 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, scattered clouds at 4,500 feet, temperature 14°C, dew point 4°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.70 inches of mercury.