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January 2, 1998 · Piper PA-34-220T · N8350Z

Winterset, IA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 2, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Winterset, IA
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-220T
Tail Number
N8350Z
Operator
Benny Magness
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI98LA077

The pilot said that during a straight-in approach to the airport, he kept the airspeed at 110 knots, because the ride was very rough. The airplane's airspeed crossing the runway threshold was 100 knots. The airplane touched down about 1,000 feet down the runway. The pilot said that when he applied brake pressure, he noticed that he had no pressure on the left brake pedal. The pilot said that he pumped the pedal three times, and then reapplied the brakes. The airplane was now three quarters of the way down the runway. Just before reaching the displaced threshold, the pilot said that the airplane swerved to the right. The pilot swerved the airplane to the left in hopes of turning onto the grass. The airplane slid sideways in the grass crashing into a fence and coming to rest in a ditch. Examination of the runway revealed tire marks beginning a third of the way down from the approach end, and running evenly down the runway until departing the prepared surface. Tire impressions in the grass continued from the end of the runway, veering left, and ending at the spot where the airplane came to rest. Examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot misjudging his airspeed on final approach, resulting in a long touchdown and insufficient distance to stop on the remaining runway available.

Full Narrative

On January 2, 1998, at 1500 central standard time (cst), a Piper PA-34-220T, N8350Z, operated by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when on landing roll, the airplane departed the end of the runway, rolled through a ditch and impacted into a fence. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. There were no injuries reported by the pilot or the two passengers on board. The cross- country flight originated at Harrison, Arkansas, at 1330 cst, and was en route to Winterset, Iowa. In his written statement, the pilot said that he established the airplane on a 6 and 1/2 mile straight-in approach to the airport. He said that the ride was very rough and that he kept the airspeed at 110 knots. Crossing the approach end of the runway, the pilot said that his airspeed was 100 knots. The pilot said that he "used up about 1,000 feet to negotiate the landing." As the pilot began to apply brake pressure, he noticed that he had no pressure on the left brake pedal. The pilot said that he pumped the pedal three times, and then reapplied the brakes. By this time, the airplane was three quarters of the way down the runway. Just before reaching the displaced threshold, the pilot said that the airplane swerved to the right. The pilot said that he swerved the airplane to the left in hopes of turning onto the grass. The airplane began to slide sideways in the grass crashing into a fence and coming to rest in a ditch. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who examined the wreckage at the scene, found the airplane resting upright in a field approximately 75 feet off the departure end of runway 32 at Winterset-Madison County Airport, Iowa. Tire marks were observed beginning approximately a third of the way down from the approach end of the runway, and ran evenly down the runway centerline until departing the prepared surface. Tire impressions in the grass began at the end of the runway and veered to the left, ending at the spot where the airplane came to rest. The outboard four feet of the airplane's right wing, including the right aileron and outboard edge of the right flap, were bent upward almost 90 degrees. The right main landing gear was bent aft and broken. The right propeller showed torsional bending and chordwise scratches. The right stabilator and elevator were bent upward. Flight control continuity was confirmed. No anomalies were found in the brakes, brake lines, master cylinders or brake pedals. No fluid leaks were found in the system. Examination of the engines, engine controls, and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CST
Nearest AirportWinterset-Madison County (1nm NW)
Runway32
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-34-220T
Tail NumberN8350Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBenny Magness
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-KB1 · Reciprocating · 220
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 21 kt, gusting 28 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingOvercast 2600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data