PIPER J5A
Springfield, VT — August 27, 2017
Event Information
| Date | August 27, 2017 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA17CA519 |
| Event ID | 20170830X43109 |
| Location | Springfield, VT |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 43.34361, -72.51722 |
| Airport | HARTNESS STATE (SPRINGFIELD) |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | J5A |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Probable Cause
The pilot's unstabilized approach, which resulted in landing long and fast, and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from trees during a go-around.
Full Narrative
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing on grass surface next to a hard-surfaced runway, the airplane approached "too high and landed too fast." He added that he was "not sure" if he could stop the airplane in the remaining distance, so he "decided to go-around, but did not leave myself [himself] enough room to clear the trees" at the end of the landing area. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the trees and stopped.
The right wing, fuselage, and windscreen sustained substantial damage.
The pilot did not report that there were any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
An automated weather observation station at the airport, about the time of the accident, reported wind from 320° at 5 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was variable, and he landed parallel to runway 29.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.