At about 1000 Pacific, the airplane veered off the runway and encountered a ditch while landing. The Private pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot subsequently reported observing the windsock, which looked limp. He entered right traffic for Runway 27, noting mountainous terrain. After two rejected landing attempts, he felt that he could land in the first third of the runway. Instead, the airplane floated and landed in the last third of the runway, veered left, crossed a ditch, went down an embankment and collided with trees.
March 12, 2007, Groveland, CALIF., Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk
At about 1000 Pacific, the airplane veered off the runway and encountered a ditch while landing. The Private pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot subsequently reported observing the windsock, which looked limp. He entered right traffic for Runway 27, noting mountainous terrain. After two rejected landing attempts, he felt that he could land in the first third of the runway.
Key Takeaways:
- A private pilot was uninjured when his airplane veered off the runway, crossed a ditch, went down an embankment, and collided with trees during landing, causing substantial damage to the aircraft.
- After two rejected landing attempts, the pilot misjudged his final approach, causing the airplane to float and land in the last third of the runway before the overrun.
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