Probable cause
The pilot's failure to land with sufficient runway remaining to safely stop the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's fatigue during the flight.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during the landing, she "landed at the last 1000' of available runway and attempted to stop the aircraft using toe brakes and aerodynamic braking, but this was insufficient." The airplane departed the runway into the grass and the right wing struck a taxiway light. A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the right wing.
The pilot also stated, "I feel this accident could have been prevented by executing a go-around and trying a lower approach as opposed to trying to save the landing. I attribute this lack of judgment to fatigue."
The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA15CA263 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 7, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Doylestown, Pennsylvania
- Nearest airport
- Doylestown (DYL)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA 28R-200
- N-number
- N1125X
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1975
- 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.