Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point which resulted in insufficient runway stopping distance and a subsequent overrun of the runway, and collision with trees.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot had conducted touch and go landings at a local airport, and then returned to richmond for landing. The pilot stated, '...i positioned myself and made a routine approach to runway 11. [the airplane] floated too FAR down the field and subsequently ran off the end of the runway impacting some trees at the end....' additionally, the pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane, and that the winds were calm. Runway 11 is 2,130 feet long and 30 feet wide.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 9, 1995, about 0855 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N8121K, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees, during the landing roll, at the Richmond Airport, West Kingston, Rhode Island. The private pilot was not injured on the local, personal flight operated by Sir Air Ltd. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot had conducted touch and go landings at a local airport and then returned to Richmond for landing. In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated, ...I returned for final landing at [Richmond]. I positioned myself and made a routine approach to runway 11. [The airplane] floated too far down the field, and subsequently ran off the end of the runway impacting some trees at the end. I estimate I was doing 10-15 knots at impact.... Additionally, in the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane, and that the winds were calm. Runway 11 was a 2130 foot long and 30 foot wide runway. -