NTSB Factual Report

On October 24, 2001, at 1515 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-300, N4033W, registered to and operated by the private pilot, collided with a fence during landing at the Lake Wales, Chalet Suzanne Airport in Lake Wales, Florida. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot and passenger were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Vandenberg, Florida, at 1330.

According to the pilot, he made a normal left hand pattern approach to the private runway. Just prior to his arrival a heavy down pour had soaked the field. The pilot did not report over flying the grass strip prior to landing to determine the landing surface condition. As he touched down on the runway the airplane started veering to the right side of the runway. He applied rudder to correct then the airplane veered to the left side of the runway and started hydroplaning out of control. He attempted to correct with no response. The airplane skidded off the runway through a small ditch and a wire fence and came to a stop off the field in a nose down attitude.

The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane prior to the accident. The post-accident examination of the airplane also failed to reveal a mechanical problem with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper decision to land on a wet sod runway which resulted in a loss of directional control during landing. Factors were the wet grass strip which allowed the airplane to hydroplane.