Hancock, NY, USA
N6617P
Piper PA-24-180
The pilot entered the traffic pattern for runway 35, and on the base leg, he added two notches of flaps and trimmed the airplane to maintain 85 knots. During the final approach to the runway, the airplane encountered a gust of wind (downdraft). The pilot applied power; however, the airplane impacted the rising terrain prior to the approach end of the runway, and slid approximately 200 feet before coming to rest. The winds reported at an airport 31 miles to the southeast were from 260 degrees at 8 knots.
On August 21, 2005, at 1140 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-24-180, N6617P, was substantially damaged during landing at the White Birch Field Airport (4N8), Hancock, New York. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight which originated at the Farmers Pride Airport (9N7), Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he entered the traffic pattern for runway 35, and on the base leg, he added two notches of flaps and trimmed the airplane to maintain 85 knots. During the final approach to the runway, the airplane encountered a gust of wind (downdraft). The pilot applied power; however, the airplane impacted the rising slope at the approach end of the runway. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the airplane and accident site reported that the airplane touched down "slightly before" the threshold of runway 35. The airplane then slid approximately 200 feet, onto the rising slope of the runway. The winds reported at an airport 31 miles to the southeast were from 260 degrees at 8 knots.
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, which resulted in the airplane impacting the ground. A factor in the accident was the downdraft wind condition, as reported by the pilot.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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