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December 4, 1999 · Piper PA-28-140 · N3848K

Pelzer, SC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 4, 1999
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Pelzer, SC
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N3848K
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA00LA040

Statements by both the student pilot and a private pilot-rated passenger reveal that, although the airstrip's wind sock indicated light surface winds, on final approach, the airplane's ground speed appeared excessive and on landing flare, the airplane floated or 'ballooned' for an excessive distance. The student pilot performed a go-around, and collided with trees and a utility pole. The student pilot stated he experienced no mechanical difficulties with the airplane. Federal Air Regulations Part 61.89, paragraph (a), states that , 'A student pilot may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft that is carrying a passenger.'

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to recognize and compensate for changing wind conditions while on final approach and landing and his failure to initiate a timely go-around, resulting in collision with trees and a utility pole.

Full Narrative

On December 4, 1999, about 1130 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N3848K, registered to Carolina Petroleum Equipment, Inc., operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed while attempting a go-around at Sky Valley Airpark, Pelzer, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage and the student pilot and a private pilot-rated passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from McCormick, South Carolina, about 45 minutes before the accident. According to the student pilot's statement, he performed a fly-by of the airstrip for the purpose of viewing the windsock, and he stated that the "flag was limp". He then entered a left downwind for a full-stop landing to runway 05 and on final approach he held a steady 75 miles per hour. As he overflew the runway threshhold, the ground speed appeared to be fast and the flare extended longer than what he remembered occurring during the previous 8 to 10 times that he had landed on that runway. When it appeared that he might use up too much runway to get stopped, he attempted a go-around, but collided with trees and a utility pole. The student pilot indicated there were no airplane mechanical malfunctions of any type, and that, somehow, the surface winds at the airstrip must have picked up between the time he observed the windsock and his touchdown. The winds reported by Greenville Downtown Airport, 17 miles northeast, for 1053 were from 250 degrees at 10 knots. According to FAA personnel, the airplane landed long and bounced twice before the student pilot decided to perform a go-around. During the go-around attempt, the airplane collided with trees, a utility pole and wires, skidded across a perimeter road, and came to rest against a barbed wire fence. Federal Air Regulations Part 61.89, paragraph (a), states that, "A student pilot may not act as a pilot in command of an aircraft that is carrying a passenger."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 EST
Nearest AirportSky Valley Airstrip (1nm)
Runway5
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN3848K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data