NTSB Factual Report

On June 25, 2011, at 1750 eastern daylight time, a Piper model PA-28-140 airplane, N6980W, was substantially damaged while landing at Harry Clever Field Airport (KPHD), New Philadelphia, Ohio. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operated without a flight plan. The flight departed Parr Airport (42I), Zanesville, Ohio, at 1720.

The pilot reported that before entering the traffic pattern he observed the airport's windsock to be "limp/down" and that based on that information he decided land on runway 14. He stated that while on final approach he encountered a strong wind gust that resulted in the airplane touching down past the touchdown zone. He noted that the airplane was too far down the runway to safely abort the landing, so he elected to steer the airplane into a field located off the right side of the runway. The left wing was substantially damaged when it collided with an electrical service box during the runway excursion.

A postaccident examination of the airplane failed to reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

At 1753, the airport's automated surface observing system reported the following weather conditions: wind 350 degrees at 7 knots; visibility 10 miles; an overcast ceiling at 6,000 feet above ground level; temperature 21 degrees Celsius; dew point 12 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 29.96 inches of mercury.

A review of historical wind data indicated that the prevailing wind had been from the north-northwest between 7 and 11 knots during the previous three hours.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's incorrect identification of the wind direction before landing, which resulted in a tailwind landing and subsequent runway excursion.