Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to attain the proper touchdown point.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, he was overflying the airport but had to land quickly for personal reasons. He circled north of the airport and performed a straight-in, stabilized approach to the runway. He reduced the power as he crossed the runway threshold and landed. According to a witness, the airplane landed about halfway down the runway and was traveling very fast. The witness stated that the brakes were applied, and the airplane swerved, overran the runway, and departed the right side of the runway. The airplane traveled down an embankment and came to rest in a ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the wing spar and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11CA452 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 14, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Front Royal, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Front Royal-Warren County Airp (FRR)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-28-236
- N-number
- N4341M
- 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.