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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 12, 1995 · Piper PA-28R-201 · N43847

Wheeling, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 12, 1995
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Wheeling, IL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-201
Tail Number
N43847
Operator
Windy City Flyers
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI95LA273

The pilot reported that he was attempting to land with the flaps in the full down position. The airplane 'shifted (yawed) slightly to the right' and he initiated a go-around. When the pilot raised the flaps abruptly to the full up position, the airplane stalled and impacted the terrain. Inspection of the wreckage revealed no evidence of preimpact airframe or engine malfunction. The pilot operating handbook (POH) for the Piper PA-28R-201 does not list specific procedures for executing a go-around.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's abrupt raising of the flaps during the attempted go-around and the resulting stall.

Full Narrative

On August 12, 1995, at 0030 central daylight time, a Piper PA- 28R-201, operated by Hectic Air, Inc., sustained substantial damage when it impacted the terrain during an attempted go-around in Wheeling, Illinois. The pilot sustained serious injury and the sole passenger reported minor injury. The personal, 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated in Delavan, Wisconsin, with a planned destination of Wheeling, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. In his written statement the pilot reported that he was attempting to land on runway 16 with the flaps in the full down position. The airplane "shifted (yawed) slightly to the right" and he initiated a go-around. The landing gear and flaps remained down. The airplane stalled and impacted the terrain. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who interviewed the pilot, the pilot reported that he raised the flaps abruptly to the full up position during the go-around. He heard the stall warning horn. The airplane descended and impacted the terrain. The FAA airworthiness inspector who examined the wreckage reported no evidence of preimpact airframe or engine malfunction. The pilot operating handbook (POH) for the Piper PA-28R-201 does not list specific procedures for executing a go-around. During a telephone interview on February 16, 1996, a representative of The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., reported that the "accepted procedure" was to apply maximum power, raise the flaps to the approach configuration, raise the landing gear when a positive rate of climb is established, establish best rate of climb airspeed, then raise the flaps.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:30 CDT
Nearest AirportPalwaukee Municipal (0nm)
Runway16
Runway Length5137 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-201
Tail NumberN43847
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWindy City Flyers
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C6 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind220° @ 8 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time04:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data