Piper PA-32R-301T Saratoga II TC Runway Excursion at Toussus-le-Noble (N4167S)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On August 24, 2015, a Piper PA-32R-301T Saratoga II TC, registration N4167S, was involved in an accident at Toussus-le-Noble (78) in France. The aircraft was operating a private general aviation flight from Biarritz Pays Basque (64). The pilot, a 43-year-old private pilot who had owned the aircraft since June 2014, departed Biarritz around 09:25 UTC. The pilot had approximately 460 total flight hours, including 150 hours in the N4167S. ## Approach and Landing Conditions Upon arrival at Toussus-le-Noble, the pilot estimated a crosswind of approximately 25 knots based on the windsock. The approach was turbulent, and the runway was wet. The pilot landed on runway 07L with the first flap setting, touching down at approximately 100 knots about 300 meters past the threshold. During the rollout, the pilot noted that braking was ineffective and the aircraft began to skid. The aircraft exited the runway to the left at approximately 1,050 meters from the threshold. ## Meteorological and Performance Factors The flight manual indicated a maximum demonstrated crosswind component of 17 knots. At the time of landing, between 11:58 and 12:02 UTC, the wind varied from 180 to 200 degrees at 33 to 37 knots. Météo France reported 28 minutes of rain in the hour before the event. The pilot had used a tablet to check weather information, including a METAR issued at 11:30 UTC, and noted the runway was 'soaked.' ## Conclusion The investigation concluded that insufficient consideration of weather conditions and their effects during flight preparation, along with a probable lack of knowledge of the aircraft's landing performance in the day's conditions, contributed to a long landing and high rollout speed. Fearing a collision with obstacles at the end of the runway, the pilot decided to exit the runway laterally at the end of the rollout.