Primary finding
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain speed and distance on final approach resulting in an overrun and collision with trees. A contributing factor was the failure of the pilot to obtain an adequate weather briefing prior to flight.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot received his weather briefing from commercial television and initiated a cross-country flight. While en route he encountered rain and deteriorating weather conditions. He located a closed airstrip with a sod runway and attempted a landing. He was high and fast on final approach, landed long, overran the runway, and collided with trees.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 26, 1995, about 1330 eastern daylight time, N6116J a Piper PA-28-200R operated by the pilot, crashed on landing in Rosewood, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported no injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Jacksonville, Florida, about 1 hour earlier. The pilot stated that he intended to fly to Cedar Key, Florida, but deviated to the closed airport at Rosewood due to deteriorating weather and rain. The pilot stated the visibility was poor due to rain and he landed long on the wet sod runway. The airplane then overran the end of the runway and struck trees. -