Piper PA32R-301T | N4190E

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the 80 year old private pilot over flew the airport after arriving from a trip to Indianapolis and elected the shorter runway 03 for landing. The winds were calm at the time of arrival and the normal runway 12 / 30 was not available, runway length 6,901 feet. The accident pilot elected to use runway 03 and entered an overhead left traffic pattern for the shorter runway, 3,892 feet available. The approach and landing to runway 03 was both high and fast, and the aircraft was not able to stop. The accident aircraft went off the departure end of runway 03 and immediately caught fire, whereupon the right main cabin door became jammed and both front seat occupants could not get out. Both front seat occupants survived the initial impact with terrain but could not escape the aircraft after the fire erupted. There accident pilot elected to use the much shorter runway when the longer runway 12/30 was not available due to construction, and was likely not accustomed to that sight picture.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft rehearse and condition themselves to be full ready for a non stabilized approach, and be fully ready to execute a Go Around if necessary. The DTSB also recommends that all pilots of all aircraft plan ahead during cruise for arrivals to airports in terms of which runway to use, and how to enter the traffic pattern.