BREWER, ME, USA
N62951
PIPER PA-31-350
THE PILOT HAD JUST COMPLETED A VOR APPROACH TO RUNWAY 11 AND DESCENDED BELOW THE BASE OF THE CLOUDS. THE WIND SOCK INDICATED THERE WAS A LEFT TO RIGHT CROSS WIND NEAR THE RUNWAY. AS THE PILOT FLARED FOR TOUCHDOWN, HE ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND. HE CORRECTED AND THEN EXPERIENCED A SECOND GUST. WINDS AT AN AIRFIELD 13 MILES TO THE SOUTHEAST WERE REPORTED AS NORTH AT 3 KNOTS. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE RUNWAY WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO BREAK THE ENGINE MOUNTS ON THE LEFT ENGINE. THE ENGINE DROPPED TO THE RUNWAY BUT REMAINED ATTACHED BY CABLES AND WIRES. THE PILOT SLOWED THE AIRPLANE AND CLEARED THE RUNWAY AT THE NEAREST INTERSECTION. HE EXITED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CORRECT AN EXCESSIVE DESCENT RATE DURING FLARE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOTS IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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