N8068Z

On December 16, 1997, at 1330 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, N8068Z, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain while landing at the Butter Valley Golf Port Airport, Bally, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured, and the passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated at Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

The pilot reported that his flight from Pottstown was uneventful. He said the airplane touched down on runway 16, about 1,000 feet down the 2,420 foot long runway. He said, "...the 1,400 feet proved not to be enough to stop given my groundspeed, and I steered the plane to the right to avoid obstacles... ." The airplane exited the runway, and crossed a road into a field.

The 1245 surface weather observation at an airport about 21 miles west of Bally, reported the winds from 260 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot reported over 86 hours of total flight experience, including 17 hours of pilot in command, all in make and model. He also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane.