Summary
On October 28, 1994, a Piper PA-32-300 (N81478) was involved in an accident near Pillow, PA. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury, with 3 people uninjured out of 4 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot did not attain the proper touchdown point on a grass runway covered with frost, which resulted in inadequate braking, and runway overrun.
On October 28, 1994, at 1015 eastern daylight time, a Piper, PA-32-300, N81478, owned and piloted by Clayton Heckler, was substantially damaged during a landing at a private grass strip near Pillow, Pennsylvania. The pilot, and the 1 passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91.
According to the pilot's written statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2:
Upon touch down on runway, applied brakes, skidded off end of runway, down a steep bank into woods. Wings were removed by trees. Plane fell on right side. Runway was frost covered grass. Brakes operated correctly, no mechanical malfunction.
This accident is documented in NTSB report NYC95LA018. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N81478.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot did not attain the proper touchdown point on a grass runway covered with frost, which resulted in inadequate braking, and runway overrun.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On October 28, 1994, at 1015 eastern daylight time, a Piper, PA-32-300, N81478, owned and piloted by Clayton Heckler, was substantially damaged during a landing at a private grass strip near Pillow, Pennsylvania. The pilot, and the 1 passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91.
According to the pilot's written statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2:
Upon touch down on runway, applied brakes, skidded off end of runway, down a steep bank into woods. Wings were removed by trees. Plane fell on right side. Runway was frost covered grass. Brakes operated correctly, no mechanical malfunction.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC95LA018