NTSB Factual Report

On April 26, 2018, about 1715 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 402B, N87266, was substantially damaged during landing at Tanner-Hiller Airport (8B5), Barre Plains, Massachusetts. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. No flight plan was filed for the local personal flight that was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight departed Dillant-Hopkins Airport (EEN), Keene, New Hampshire, about 1630.

According to the pilot, he was trying to land at 8B5 in gusty wind conditions and performed two go-arounds prior to landing on runway 06. He said the wind was "bumpy" below the trees, and he made a steep approach to the runway "consistent with a short field landing." He flared about midfield, and the airplane continued to float down the runway. He stated the airplane "floated and floated much further down the runway than normal" even though he approached the runway at a "normal" airspeed of 95 knots and with full flaps. The airplane touched down and despite maximum braking, overran the departure end of runway 06, and impacted trees. The pilot and passengers egressed the airplane before a post-impact fire ensued.

The pilot stated that he believed he encountered a wind rotor over the trees, which changed the direction of the wind to a quartering tailwind. He checked the weather at three surrounding airports, but he did not trust the wind reports. He did not get a weather briefing before the flight.

A FAA inspector examined the airplane where it came to rest, about 300 ft past the end of the 3,027 ft-long runway. The left wing outboard of the left engine impacted trees. The left wingtip was separated, and the left horizontal stabilizer was damaged. All major components were accounted for at the scene and all flight controls were functional.

According to FAA records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine and multi-engine land airplane. His most recent FAA third-class airman medical certificate was issued December 7, 2009. A review of the pilots logbooks revealed he had about 330 hours of total flight time flight time and 220 hours of multi-engine flight time.

At 1654, the weather conditions reported at Worcester Regional Airport (ORH), about 13 miles southeast of 8B5, included wind from 270° at 16 knots gusting to 27 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, scattered clouds at 4,500 ft, temperature 14°C, dew point 4°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.70 inches of mercury.