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June 3, 2006 · Piper PA-32R-301T · N4174Z

Gualala, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 3, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Gualala, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-32R-301T
Tail Number
N4174Z
Operator
Ezra Howington
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX06CA193

The airplane overran the departure end of the 2,500-foot runway on landing and the landing gear collapsed. The runway had a hump in its middle that decreased the landing visibility. The pilot said that when he realized that he needed to perform a go-around, he did not have the runway available to safety execute the procedure. The pilot said that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's misjudged distance and speed, which resulted in a runway overrun. A contributing factor was the hump in the runway.

Full Narrative

On June 3, 2006, at 1215 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA32R-301T, N4174Z, ran off the end of the runway and the landing gear collapsed at Ocean Ridge Airport, Gualala, California. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The pilot departed from San Rafael Airport, San Rafael, California, at 1130, and was landing at his destination when the accident occurred. The pilot stated that the while landing on the 2,500-foot runway, the airplane ran off the end. As it slid across the grass-covered terrain, the landing gear collapsed, which resulted in rib damage to the outboard left wing and right wheel well area. There were no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. The pilot noted that the runway had a hump in its middle that decreased his visibility during landing. When he realized that he needed to perform a go-around, there was not enough runway available to safety do so. The Airport/Facility Directory Southwest notes in the remarks section for Ocean Ridge Airport, in part, "Acft not visible from opposite ends of rwy."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 PDT
Nearest AirportOcean Ridge (0nm)
Runway13
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32R-301T
Tail NumberN4174Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEzra Howington
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTextron Lycoming · TIO-540-AH1A · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.79 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data