HEMPSTEAD, TX, USA
N2302N
CESSNA 140
THE PILOT PLANNED TO PRACTICE TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS AT AN UNFAMILIAR PRIVATE/GLIDER STRIP. HE SET UP HIS APPROACH ON THE STRIP BETWEEN THE TWO RUNWAYS. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A SOFT WET AREA AND NOSED OVER. THE VERTICAL STABILIZER AND LEFT WING STRUT WERE STRUCTURALLY DAMAGED. THE PILOT FLEW HIS APPROACH TO WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS THE MAIN STRIP. HE WAS UNAWARE THAT HE WAS LANDING IN THE UNIMPROVED AREA BETWEEN THE PARALLEL RUNWAYS.
On April 23, 1994, at 1500 central daylight time, a Cessna 140, N2302N, was substantially damaged during landing at Hempstead, Texas. The private pilot and his pilot rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, that he was going to practice touch and go landings in his newly acquired airplane. He chose Hempstead Airport, a private/glider strip that he was not familiar with. According to the enclosed report, the pilot "landed on what looked to be main strip." However, it "turned out to be between strips." During the landing roll the airplane encountered a soft wet area and nosed over. The vertical stabilizer and left wing strut were structurally damaged.
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER SELECTION OF THE STRIP BETWEEN THE TWO RUNWAYS. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT NOT BEING FAMILIAR WITH THE AIRSTRIP AND THE SOFT, WET TERRAIN.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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