Primary finding
Probable cause
Inadequate runway maintenance by the pilot for allowing trees to be in close proximity of the runway and failure to maintain clearance from the trees.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that while landing on his own runway, he drifted off the left side of the mowed runway surface and as a result, the left wing collided with trees that borders the runway.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 16, 1997, about 2014 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22-20, N57132, registered to a private individual, collided with trees during the landing roll at a private airstrip at Villa Rica, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated about 1950 from the West Georgia Regional Airport, Carrollton, Georgia. The pilot stated that while landing on his own runway behind his house, after touchdown during the landing roll, the airplane drifted to the left off the prepared runway surface and as a result, the left wing contacted small pine trees which borders the runway. The airplane then veered to the left and collided with the trees. -