N9190W

On October 29, 1998, about 1025 eastern standard time, a Piper PA23-250, N9190W, was substantially damaged during landing at the Brandy Wine Airport (N99), West Chester, Pennsylvania. The certificated commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Martin State Airport, Baltimore, Maryland, destined for N99. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The airplane was on approach to a 3,007 foot long, 50 foot wide, asphalt runway.

In a written statement, the pilot said the winds en route to N99 were generally from the northwest and he initially planned to land on runway 27. When the pilot contacted the airport's unicom to report his position, he was told that runway 9 was the active runway. The pilot then entered a left downwind for runway 9 and noticed the wind sock indicated a strong wind from 360 degrees. The pilot stated the airplane touched down near the end of the first third of the runway, at a speed of less than 85 miles per hour. He further stated:

"...I noticed that my ground speed was high, [I] immediately looked at the wind sock which indicated that the wind was out of 270 degrees...I tapped the brakes and raised the flaps to reduce lift. Speed did not dissipate notwithstanding my use of the brakes. As we reached the last third of the runway, I braked harder and realized we would not stop in time. Since I could not see the end of the runway, I elected to turn to the left and ran down a small grassy embankment which cause the gear to fold and, as the plane slid across the road the props stopped. The plane came to rest across the road..."

The airport manager witnessed the accident. In a telephone interview, he stated he was on the telephone when he heard the pilot of N9190W request an airport advisory, and the pilot of a Cherokee Six who was in the traffic pattern for runway 9, stated runway 9 was the active runway. The Cherokee Six landed on runway 9 without incident. The airport manager did not see N9190W touch down; however, he did observe the airplane as it passed the wind sock located about halfway down the runway. He said the airplane looked "fast", and traveled straight off the end of the runway. At that time, the wind sock indicated the wind was from the north. The airplane came to rest in some bushes about 100 feet from the end of the runway, left of the runway centerline.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not disclose evidence of any mechanical malfunctions of the airframe or engine.

Winds reported at an airport about 17 miles southeast of the accident site at 1054, were from 350 degrees at 21 knots with 26 knot gusts. According to the airport manager, on the day of the accident the winds were predominately from the north at about 20 to 25 knots, with 30 knot gusts.