CHI97LA028

The pilot stated the 'directional plane' at the airport was indicating winds from 180 to 240 degrees, which favored runway 27. He stated that this information contradicted what the AWOS had reported. Subsequently, the pilot realized he would not be able stop the airplane on the runway. However, given the length of runway remaining, the airspeed, and the dark night conditions, he doubted he could 'rotate' the airplane off the runway. The airplane traveled off the end of runway 27 at a speed of about 35 knots. AWOS at the time of the accident was reporting winds from 160 degrees at 16 knots gusting to 24 knots.

On November 16, 1996, at 2134 central standard time, a Piper PA- 32R-301T, N8308V, operated by a private pilot collided with a ditch at the departure end of the runway while landing on runway 27 (3,655' x 75') at the Lansing Municipal Airport, Lansing, Illinois. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. Two other passengers were seriously injured. The airplane as substantially damaged. The flight originated from Romeo, Michigan, at 2130 eastern standard time.

The pilot stated that while en route from Romeo, Michigan, to Lansing he monitored the Automated Weather Observation Station (AWOS) located at Lansing. He stated the AWOS was reporting strong southerly winds. He stated that upon reaching the Lansing Municipal Airport he flew over the airport and noticed the "directional plane" moving from 180 degrees to 240 degrees and that it contradicted what the AWOS was reporting. He stated runway 27 was favored due to the variable wind direction.

According to the pilot he made one landing attempt on runway 27 which ended in a go-around as he was unable to maintain alignment with the runway centerline. He stated that during the second attempt he used two notches of flaps instead of three which was what he used during the first attempt. He stated the airplane touched down near the runway numbers at an indicated airspeed of 85 to 90 knots. He stated that seconds later the airspeed had decreased to 70 knots; however, it was still 60 knots when the airplane was half way down the runway. The pilot continued to report, "I pulled the last notch of flaps on and forcefully applied the brakes at this time... ." He stated that with 1,000 feet of runway remaining the airspeed was indicating 50 knots. The pilot reported, "Realizing that due to my present airspeed, amount of runway I had remaining, the darkness of the area in front and above me and the winds I most probably could not rotate the plane off of the pavement... ."

He stated that as he passed the runway end lights he noted the airspeed had slowed to 35 knots. The airplane continued off the end of the runway where it contacted a guard rail prior to coming to a stop.

The Lansing AWOS was reporting winds from 160 degrees at 16 knots gusting to 24 knots at the time of the accident.