Piper PA 28-181 Long Landing and Runway Excursion at Saint-Pierre d’Oléron

Overview and Circumstances On 30 September 2011 at 19:15 local time, a Piper Aircraft PA 28-181 registered N181HP, operated privately, departed from the private aerodrome of Luçon-Chasnais for Saint-Pierre d’Oléron, approximately 40 nautical miles away, to refuel. The pilot intended to return before aeronautical night. During the approach to runway 28, the pilot reported being significantly affected by low, direct sunlight on the horizon. He decided to apply full power but stated that the action had no effect. He then landed straight ahead, estimating that touchdown occurred around the midpoint of the runway. ## Accident Sequence and Findings A witness near the runway reported that the aircraft appeared to be at high speed when passing hangars located about 650 meters from the runway threshold. The aircraft exited the aerodrome limits, crossed a road and a field, crossed a second road, and came to rest at the edge of a forest, approximately 300 meters from the runway end. Ground traces indicated a longitudinal runway excursion with significant energy. The propeller deformation showed the engine was producing little power at the time. Flaps were set to the first notch. Engine examination revealed no prior malfunction, and fuel was present in the tanks. ## Contributing Factors At the time of the event, the sun was at an azimuth of 270° and 5° above the horizon. Aeronautical night at Luçon was set for 20:15. The estimated flight time to the destination was about 25 minutes without wind. Under the day’s conditions, the required landing distance was between 350 and 450 meters depending on wind. The pilot had 1,862 total flight hours since 1994, including 846 hours on type. Weather conditions included wind from 140° to 200° at 3 to 6 knots, maximum 8 knots, visibility 9,999 meters, CAVOK, temperature 25°C, dew point 14°C, and QNH 1021 hPa.