Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot-in-command's inadequate visual lookout.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that he landed on the grass runway and was following the mowed area when the left main landing gear faring impacted a recessed runway light. The airplane then turned and the left upper wing struck a tree.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 18, 1994, at 1315 central daylight time, a Prest Eagle II, N257SP, registered to A. Stark Wolkoff of Prairie Village, Kansas, and operated by a commercial pilot, collided with a tree during rollout to the north on a private grass strip near Wellsville, Kansas. The airplane sustained substantial damage; however, the pilot reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Olathe, Kansas, about 1300. The pilot stated that while he was on a local flight out of Olathe, Kansas, he decided to make a full stop landing at the Pollack Airport which had a single grass north/south runway. He stated that the wind was calm, and he decided to land to the north. He said that he was watching out the left side of the airplane after landing and following the mowed area of the grass, when the left main wheel faring impacted a recessed light at the edge of the runway. The airplane exited the runway at this point and the left wing impacted a small tree. -