N8310L

Substantial
None

PIPER PA-32R-301S/N: 32R-8113024

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, February 20, 2011
NTSB Number
CEN11CA197
Location
Holdenville, OK
Event ID
20110220X82019
Coordinates
35.085834, -96.416664
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
3
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s decision to land with a tailwind and his delay in executing a go around.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N8310L
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
32R-8113024
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1980
Model / ICAO
PA-32R-301P32R
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
3D WELL SERVICE INC
Address
PO BOX 158
Status
Deregistered
City
LAMONT
State / Zip Code
OK 74643-0158
Country
United States

Analysis

According to an FAA inspector who interviewed the pilot via telephone, the pilot said he inadvertently landed on runway 35 with a tailwind. Realizing his mistake and unable to stop the airplane on the runway remaining, he attempted to take off. However, the airplane collided with shrubs at the end of the runway, shearing off both wings. According to the pilot's accident report, he landed on runway 35 because "all the winds have been out of the north this winter...I suppose I saw what I had expected to see." His attempted go-around was unsuccessful because the airplane had a nearly full fuel load. The pilot summarized, "I must have thought this [landing] was going to be like all the others and didn't double check everything as I usually do. Complacency has no place in the cockpit and the penalty of seeing your pride and joy damaged is indeed severe. If we all could just imagine an outcome such as mine before every flight, awareness of every detail would be increased."

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN11CA197