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NTSB Report
April 22, 1990 · Piper PA-28-140 · N5886U
Ona, WV
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 22, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Ona, WV
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N5886U
Operator
William Coleman Thompson Iii
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO90FA036
WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT LIFTOFF THE RUNWAY AT A SLOWER THAN NORMAL SPEED AND FAIL TO GAIN ALTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT JUST CLEARED A RIDGELINE OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, ROLLED TO THE LEFT AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE STABILATOR TRIM SET IN A NOSE HIGH SETTING. COMPUTATION OF THE WT AND BALANCE INDICATED AN OVERWEIGHT AIRCRAFT WITH AN AFT CENTER OF GRAVITY CONDITION.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE IMPROPERLY SET STABILATOR TRIM AND THE IMPROPERLY LOADED AIRCRAFT.
Full Narrative
WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT LIFTOFF THE RUNWAY AT A SLOWER THAN NORMAL SPEED AND FAIL TO GAIN ALTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT JUST CLEARED A RIDGELINE OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, ROLLED TO THE LEFT AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE STABILATOR TRIM SET IN A NOSE HIGH SETTING. COMPUTATION OF THE WT AND BALANCE INDICATED AN OVERWEIGHT AIRCRAFT WITH AN AFT CENTER OF GRAVITY CONDITION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:15 EDT
Nearest AirportONA (1nm WSW)
Runway25
Runway Length3160 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN5886U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWilliam Coleman Thompson Iii
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:52
Weather SourceWFAC