Piper PA-28-180 N7157W accident near Rockwall, Texas

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to go-around during the unstable visual approach, which resulted in a bounced touchdown near the end of the runway and the subsequent runway excursion.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he was flying a visual approach with a steep glidepath to avoid power lines on final approach and a higher-than-normal approach speed due to high winds. The airplane touched down toward the departure end of the runway and bounced once. The pilot did not perform a go-around and continued the landing attempt. The airplane touched down again, departed the runway, and impacted a barbed wire fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and that he should have diverted to another airport and rented a vehicle to drive to the destination.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN22LA075 for the full record.