This June 2007 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Piper Cherokee
Location: Lake in the Hills, Ill.
Injuries: None.
Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot attempted to abort the landing when he was more than half-way down the 3,058-foot runway. He applied full power and pulled up. The airplane porpoised two or three times, and veered to the left of the runway. It then pitched down and continued down the grassy slope to the left of the runway, hitting a chain-link fence and trees.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to achieve a proper touchdown point and delayed decision to abort the landing.
