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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 24, 1998 · Piper PA-34-200T · N525WA

Middlesboro, KY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 24, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Middlesboro, KY
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-200T
Tail Number
N525WA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC98LA174

The airplane was landing on runway 10, a 3,630 foot long, asphalt runway. The airplane touched down on approximately the last 800 feet of the runway. As the airplane traveled down the runway, a witness observed smoke emanating from its tires. The airplane went off the end of the runway, traveled onto a grass area where its landing gear collapsed, and slid to a stop. Tire skid marks were observed about 2,800 feet beyond the runway threshold. The tire marks twisted at the end of the runway before entering the grass area. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA Inspector did not disclose evidence of any pre-impact abnormalities of the airframe or engine. Winds reported at an airport about 33 miles north-northwest of the accident site, were from 230 degrees at 10 knots, with 14 knot gusts.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misjudgment of distance and speed, which resulted in runway overrun into a grass area where the gear collapsed. The tailwind was a contributing factor.

Full Narrative

On August 24, 1998, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA34-200T, N525WA, was substantially damaged while landing at the Middlesboro-Bell County Airport (1A6), Middlesboro, Kentucky. The certificated private pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Owensboro-Daviess County Airport, Owensboro, Kentucky, about 1600. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was landing on runway 10, a 3,630 foot long, 75 foot wide, asphalt runway. In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, a witness stated the airplane touched down on approximately the last 800 feet of the runway. As the airplane traveled down the runway, the witness observed smoke emanating from its tires. When the airplane reached the end of the runway it began to rotate to the south. The airplane then went off the end of the runway, traveled onto a grass area where its landing gear collapsed, and slid to a stop. According to an FAA Inspector, tire skid marks were observed about 2,800 feet from the runway threshold. The tire marks twisted at the end of the runway before entering the grass area. The airplane came to rest in the grass area located about 25 to 30 feet from the departure end of runway 10. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA Inspector did not disclose evidence of any pre-impact abnormalities of the airframe or engine. Winds reported at an airport about 33 miles north-northwest of 1A6, were from 230 degrees at 10 knots, with 14 knot gusts.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 EDT
Nearest AirportMiddlesboro-Bell County (0nm)
Runway10
Runway Length3630 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-34-200T
Tail NumberN525WA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 10 kt, gusting 14 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 19000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data