Piper PA28 N33JM accident near Indian Trail, North Carolina

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to attain the proper landing approach speed and touchdown point, which resulted in a runway overrun.

NTSB analysis

As the pilot approached 2,350-ft-long runway for landing at the destination airport, he flew the airplane higher than normal to avoid trees. The pilot noted that during the final approach the airplane’s speed was also higher than normal, and that the airplane touched down near the mid-point of the runway. The pilot attempted to stop the airplane on the remaining runway, but the airplane overran the departure end before it struck dense vegetation and a ditch. The airplane’s wings and the forward portion of the fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA20CA267 for the full record.