N525WA

On August 24, 1998, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA34-200T, N525WA, was substantially damaged while landing at the Middlesboro-Bell County Airport (1A6), Middlesboro, Kentucky. The certificated private pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Owensboro-Daviess County Airport, Owensboro, Kentucky, about 1600. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The airplane was landing on runway 10, a 3,630 foot long, 75 foot wide, asphalt runway.

In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, a witness stated the airplane touched down on approximately the last 800 feet of the runway. As the airplane traveled down the runway, the witness observed smoke emanating from its tires. When the airplane reached the end of the runway it began to rotate to the south. The airplane then went off the end of the runway, traveled onto a grass area where its landing gear collapsed, and slid to a stop.

According to an FAA Inspector, tire skid marks were observed about 2,800 feet from the runway threshold. The tire marks twisted at the end of the runway before entering the grass area. The airplane came to rest in the grass area located about 25 to 30 feet from the departure end of runway 10.

Examination of the wreckage by an FAA Inspector did not disclose evidence of any pre-impact abnormalities of the airframe or engine.

Winds reported at an airport about 33 miles north-northwest of 1A6, were from 230 degrees at 10 knots, with 14 knot gusts.