Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a fence.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that he made a poor approach, but still elected to continue with the landing. He landed long at a higher-than-normal airspeed and the airplane bounced upon touchdown. The airplane subsequently departed the left side of the runway and struck a fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies, and that the braking system performed as designed.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA10CA303 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 2, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Block Island, Rhode Island
- Nearest airport
- Block Island State Airport (BID)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-28-181
- N-number
- N47661
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.