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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

October 22, 1995 · Zenair CH 2000 · N9151Z

Saluda, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 22, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Saluda, VA
Aircraft
Zenair CH 2000
Tail Number
N9151Z
Operator
Bonnie Legwin
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO96LA013

The student pilot stated that the accident occurred during his first solo cross country flight. He reported that upon arrival at the destination airport, he performed a low approach and an intentional go around to get a feel for the winds and the short runway. The student pilot reported that he was comfortable with the landing conditions, and returned to the airport for a full stop landing. He stated that the approach seemed normal until just prior to touchdown, when a strong gust of wind lifted the airplane and pushed it to the left of the runway. The student pilot initiated a go around. He reported that he applied full power but did not have time to raise the flaps. He stated that the wind blew the airplane toward a grove of trees, and that he pulled the yoke back and banked to the left in an attempt to avoid the trees. The airplane impacted the ground in a soybean field adjacent to the grove of trees.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an attempted go around.

Full Narrative

On October 22, 1995, at 1420 eastern daylight time, a Zenair CH 2000, N9151Z, impacted the ground during a go around attempt at Hummel Field, in Saluda, Virginia. The student pilot, the sole occupant, received serious injuries and the airplane was destroyed. A VFR flight plan had been filed and activated. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Shannon Airport, Fredericksburg, Virginia at 1339 eastern daylight time. The student pilot stated that he was on his first solo cross country flight. He reported that, upon arrival at Saluda, he decided to execute a go around in order to get a feel for the winds and the short runway. The student pilot stated that the go around went as planned and he felt comfortable with the landing conditions. He reported that his airport traffic pattern and airspeed control for the full stop landing was just how his instructor had shown him, and that everything was normal until just prior to touchdown. He stated that at that point a sudden gust of wind lifted the airplane and pushed it to the left of the runway. The student pilot thought he was too high to land on the remaining runway, so he performed a go around. He stated that he applied full power but did not have the time to bring the flaps up. In his written statement, the student pilot stated "...the wind had blown me...toward a grove of hardwood trees... ." He indicated that he felt that his only option was to pull the yoke back and turn left to climb over the trees. The student pilot stated that he thought he was climbing very steeply and felt that he had missed the trees. The next thing the pilot was able to remember was when he impacted the ground in a field near trees. The wreckage was located in a field between two groves of trees, approximately 350 feet from the runway on its original heading. There was no evidence or claim of preimpact mechanical malfunction.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:20 EDT
Nearest AirportHummel Field (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length2200 ft
Runway Width45 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftZenair CH 2000
Tail NumberN9151Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBonnie Legwin
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-N2C · Reciprocating · 116
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 7 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data