CEN17LA154

The private pilot was approaching the airport to land during a cross-country flight. During the landing approach, the pilot noticed that the airplane would bank to the left at low speeds but that the bank resolved at higher airspeeds. As the airplane slowed on final approach, it banked left and subsequently impacted a field left of the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane flight control system confirmed flight control continuity, and no anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

On April 7, 2017, at 1835 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22-135 airplane, N2389A, impacted terrain during landing at Greensburg Municipal Airport (I34), Greensburg, Indiana. The private pilot received minor injuries and two passengers were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 and was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that departed from Upper Cumberland Regional Airport (SRB), Sparta, Tennessee, about 1535, and was destined to I34. The pilot stopped for fuel at Lagrange-Callaway Airport, (LGC) LaGrange, Georgia, and then departed at approximately 1330. The second fuel stop was SRB and then departed at approximately 1535 and was destined to I34 to refuel again. The pilot stated that I34 did not have automated weather reporting. He slowed the airplane to look at the wind sock during approach. As the airplane slowed, it "slowly" banked left. He said the airplane was responsive with increased speed. He performed a 360 degree turn and rolled out onto the runway for landing on runway 36. As the airplane slowed, it banked left and landed in a field left of the runway. The airplane impacted the ground in a field approximately 300 feet west of the centerline of the runway and skidded approximately 200 feet before coming to a stop. Post-accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration maintenance inspector from the Indianapolis Flight Standards District Office confirmed flight control continuity. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.