Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot-in-command's excessive airspeed, his failure to touch down at the proper point on the runway, and his failure to abort the landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
Witnesses stated the flight approached at about 120 knots and touched down about 3,000 feet down the 4,300-foot runway. The pilot then aborted the landing. On the second landing the flight again approached at about 120 knots and touched down about 3,000 feet down the runway. The pilot attempted to stop but was unable to. The aircraft overan the runway and collided with a ditch where it flipped over inverted and came to rest. The pilot reported to FAA inspectors that he had no mechanical problems with the aircraft before the accident.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 17, 1993, at 0940 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-31-350, N456CB, registered to Cherokee Brick and Tile Co., Inc., overran the runway, collided with a ditch, and nosed over while landing at Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport, Fernandina Beach, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private pilot and three passengers received minor injuries. The flight originated at Macon, Georgia, on September 17, 1993, at 0815. The pilot stated to an FAA inspector that he landed long and overran the runway. He reported no mechanical difficulties with the aircraft. Eyewitnesses reported to the FAA that the aircraft made one landing on runway 8 at a point 3/4 of the way down the runway while at an estimated speed of 120 knots. After touchdown the pilot performed an aborted landing. On the second landing attempt the aircraft again touched down 3/4 of the way down the runway at 120 knots. The pilot attempted to stop; however, the aircraft overran the runway, collided with a ditch, and then nosed over, coming to rest inverted. Examination of the runway by FAA inspectors revealed that the aircraft left skid marks from heavy braking along the last 1,000 feet of runway before running off the runway. The pilot was given an NTSB 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Accident Report form, by an FAA inspector at the accident scene shortly after the accident. The NTSB did not receive the completed report form from the pilot. -