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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 14, 1998 · Piper PA-32RT · N39525

Vidalia, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 14, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Vidalia, GA
Aircraft
Piper PA-32RT
Tail Number
N39525
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA99LA009

The pilot stated that he obtained a weather and NOTAM briefing before he departed on a VFR flight. Upon landing on runway 24 at his destination airport, the airplane collided with a barrier, and the left main landing gear collapsed. Coordination with FAA Automated Flight Service Stations revealed no record of a weather or NOTAM briefing provided to the accident pilot. A NOTAM was issued 3 months before the accident closing runway 24. Examination of the runway by the FAA after the accident revealed the closed runway was marked in accordance with required publications.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning by which he failed to obtain NOTAM information, and his failure to identify an hazardous/unsafe condition on the runway.

Full Narrative

On October 14, 1998, at about 1145 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT, N39525, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, registered to a private owner crashed on landing rollout at the Vidalia Municipal Airport, Vidalia, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The flight originated from Fort Pierce, Florida, about 1 hour before the accident. The pilot stated he received a full weather briefing and checked NOTAMS for his destination airport from an FAA Automated Flight Service Station. No NOTAMS were issued during the briefing for runway 24 at the Vidalia Municipal Airport. He obtained traffic advisories from Jacksonville approach and Jacksonville Center before making a VFR visual approach to Vidalia Municipal Airport. He attempted to contact Vidalia UNICOM before landing with negative results. He made a VFR approach to runway 24. The left main landing gear collided with a barrier, and the landing gear collapsed. Telephonic communication with Miami, Gainesville, and St. Petersburg Automated Flight Service Stations, revealed the pilot of N39525 did not obtain a weather briefing, check NOTAMS or file a flight plan on the day of the accident. Review of NOTAM information for Vidalia, runway 06/24 indicates the runways have been closed since July 16, 1998, at 1200Z. Examination of the runway by the FAA revealed the left main landing gear hit a small orange and white colored barrier. The left landing gear folded under the airplane, the left wing collided with the runway, and the airplane skidded off the runway unto the grass. The FAA stated, "an inspection of the runway revealed that large "yellow Xs" were in place at the ends of runway 24/6. The yellow Xs were held in place with sand bags. Some sand had migrated from the sand bags onto the yellow Xs. Additional barriers were on runway 24/6 at the intersection of runway 13/31 to keep traffic from turning on the closed runway. These barriers were wrapped in an orange and white reflective material. The barriers also had yellow blinking lights attached to the top of the barriers. The yellow blinking lights are only activated at night. The closed runway was properly marked in accordance with the Aeronautical Information Manual, Chapter 2."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 EDT
Nearest AirportVIDALIA (0nm)
Runway24
Runway Length5003 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32RT
Tail NumberN39525
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:49
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data