NTSB Factual Report

On September 4, 2002, approximately 1400 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161 single-engine airplane, N9855S, was substantially damaged following a runway overrun at the Graham Municipal Airport, Graham, Texas. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by U.S. Flight Academy L.L.C., Denton, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The solo cross-country flight originated at 1330 from Denton, with an intermediate stop at Mineral Wells, Texas, and then to Graham.

In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the 44-hour student pilot reported that prior to executing a touch-and-go landing, he overflew the airport at 2,000 feet agl. The pilot noticed construction vehicles near the runway, and he then contacted UNICOM. The UNICOM operator stated he would drive over to the construction area and have the vehicles clear the runway. During the touch-and-go to runway 21, the pilot reported that he landed further down the runway than normal. Subsequently, the airplane departed the runway and came to rest upright in a culvert. The pilot reported that the wind was from 180 at 9 knots and gusting to 15 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point which resulted in a runway overrun.