What happened
On April 1, 2026, at approximately 1635 EDT, a Piper PA-31T1, registration N96MA, was performing a positioning flight under Part 91 regulations from Gaithersburg, Maryland, to Ocean City Municipal Airport (26N) in New Jersey. The flight was conducted under instrument flight rules (IFR) and the pilot was cleared for a visual approach to runway 6.
According to the pilot, the approach was stable, utilizing GPS lateral and vertical guidance. During the approach, the pilot relied on the automated weather observation system (AWOS) report, which indicated calm winds. As the aircraft reached approximately 30 knots during the landing roll, the pilot was unable to decelerate the aircraft further despite applying maximum braking pressure.
As the aircraft exited the end of the 2,972-foot runway, the main landing gear tires grabbed, causing the airplane to veer to the left. The right main landing gear struck soft ground and collapsed. The aircraft then spun 180 degrees and came to rest upright approximately 30 feet beyond the runway end. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, but the aircraft was substantially damaged.
Following the accident, the pilot observed that the windsock was indicating a direct tailwind from 240 degrees at 15 knots, contradicting the AWOS report of calm winds. The pilot provided photographic evidence of both the windsock and the AWOS display to investigators.
The investigation
An investigation into the weather conditions revealed that a weather front had passed through the area around the time of the accident. While the AWOS at the airport provided certified visibility and altimeter settings, the airport manager noted that the wind information provided by that specific system was advisory only.
Data from nearby stations supported the presence of changing wind conditions. At Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), the wind was recorded at 1554 from 240 degrees at 8 knots, but shifted to 130 degrees at 8 knots by 1654. Similarly, Cape May County Airport (WWD) recorded winds shifting from 150 degrees at 7 knots to 120 degrees at 5 knots during the same period. Another pilot operating N96GD also reported experiencing a tailwind of over 8 knots during a landing at the same airport shortly before the accident.