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NTSB Report

September 17, 1997 · Piper PA-38-112 · N43DR

Greenwood, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 17, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Greenwood, IN
Aircraft
Piper PA-38-112
Tail Number
N43DR
Operator
Greenwood Aircraft Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI97LA295

The student pilot reported that while on final approach, she added a second notch of flaps. She then reduced power as she felt her altitude was too high. Shortly thereafter, she initiated a go-around as she felt her altitude was too low. During the go-around, she decreased the flap setting to zero. A witness, her flight instructor, reported the nose of the airplane then pitched up, and the left wing dropped. The airplane turned 90 to 120 degrees to the left as the main gear contacted the terrain. The airplane then slid sideways and came to rest in the grass between the runway and taxiway. The accident occurred on the student pilot's first solo flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the go-around, which resulted in an inadvertant stall. A factor related to the accident was the raising of flaps.

Full Narrative

On September 17, 1997, at 1850 central daylight time, a Piper PA- 38-112, N43DR, operated by a student pilot, collided with the terrain while executing a go-around at the Greenwood Municipal Airport, Greenwood, Indiana, while on a solo training flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The local flight originated at 1840 cdt. The student pilot departed on runway 01. She reported that she made a left traffic pattern to return to runway 01 for a landing. The pilot reported that on base leg she added one notch of flaps followed by the turn to final approach. Once established on final approach she added the next notch of flaps. She reported that her altitude seemed high so she "decreased throttle slightly." She reported that her altitude then seemed low so she elected to execute a go-around during which she retracted the flaps to zero. According to her flight instructor, who witnessed the accident, the nose of the airplane then pitched up and the airplane yawed to the left. He reported that the left wing dropped and the airplane rotated 90 to 120 degrees to the left as the main landing gear contacted the ground. The airplane then skidded sideways coming to rest in the grass between the runway and the taxiway. The accident occurred during the student pilot's first solo flight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:50 EDT
Nearest AirportGreenwood Municipal (0nm)
Runway1
Runway Length4300 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-38-112
Tail NumberN43DR
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGreenwood Aircraft Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 112
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 21000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 50
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data