Probable cause
The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that as he approached 4AL9, he noticed some trees about 800 feet from the approach end of runway 4. He said that the trees scared him, and therefore he purposely came in higher. He said he lowered the nose of the airplane and gained airspeed to110 knots. He reduced power, and landed long with only 800 feet remaining on the runway. He said that he was unable to conduct a go-around so he applied the brakes and steered the airplane into a thicket of trees.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for MIA08CA039 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 12, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lapine, Alabama
- Nearest airport
- T W Spear Memorial Airport (4AL9)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-32-300
- N-number
- N84JC
- 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.