Summary
On June 19, 2016, a Piper PA32 (N44255) was involved in an incident near Block Island, RI. All 6 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point and the airplane’s subsequent collision with obstacles during an attempted go-around.
According to the pilot, while on final approach to land on a 2,502-foot-long, asphalt runway, he observed another airplane back-taxiing on the runway and then depart. He continued the approach, performed a "normal" full flaps landing, and the airplane touched down about midfield. During the rollout, he determined that there was insufficient runway remaining to stop, and chose to attempt a go-around. The airplane subsequently struck the airport perimeter fence and then a roadway guard rail before it impacted terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot further reported he did not experience any pre-accident malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA16CA218. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N44255.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point and the airplane’s subsequent collision with obstacles during an attempted go-around.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
According to the pilot, while on final approach to land on a 2,502-foot-long, asphalt runway, he observed another airplane back-taxiing on the runway and then depart. He continued the approach, performed a "normal" full flaps landing, and the airplane touched down about midfield. During the rollout, he determined that there was insufficient runway remaining to stop, and chose to attempt a go-around. The airplane subsequently struck the airport perimeter fence and then a roadway guard rail before it impacted terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot further reported he did not experience any pre-accident malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. He also stated that the accident might have been prevented by aborting the landing earlier.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA16CA218