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NTSB Report
May 20, 1990 · Piper PA-28 · N5290W
Jacksonville, NC
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 20, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Jacksonville, NC
Aircraft
Piper PA-28
Tail Number
N5290W
Operator
David L & Cathy Leftwich
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL90LA114
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING LANDING, FOLLOWING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THERE WERE THUNDERSTORMS IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRSTRIP. NO RAIN WAS FALLING AT THE AIRSTRIP BUT, THERE WAS A TAILWIND OF 8 TO 10 KTS WITH GUSTS TO 15. JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN THE DESCENT INCREASED & THE AIRPLANE 'PITCHED FORWARD.' POWER WAS INCREASED TO SLOW THE DESCENT THEN REDUCED TO LAND. AT TOUCHDOWN THE PILOT NOTED HE COULD NOT STOP ON THE RUNWAY AND THE LANDING WAS ABORTED. DURING THE GO-AROUND HE AIRPLANE WENT UNDER A MARKED WIRE & HIT AN UNMARKED STATIC WIRE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S DECISION TO LAND DOWNWIND AND HIS DELAY IN EXECUTING A GO-AROUND.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING LANDING, FOLLOWING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THERE WERE THUNDERSTORMS IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRSTRIP. NO RAIN WAS FALLING AT THE AIRSTRIP BUT, THERE WAS A TAILWIND OF 8 TO 10 KTS WITH GUSTS TO 15. JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN THE DESCENT INCREASED & THE AIRPLANE 'PITCHED FORWARD.' POWER WAS INCREASED TO SLOW THE DESCENT THEN REDUCED TO LAND. AT TOUCHDOWN THE PILOT NOTED HE COULD NOT STOP ON THE RUNWAY AND THE LANDING WAS ABORTED. DURING THE GO-AROUND HE AIRPLANE WENT UNDER A MARKED WIRE & HIT AN UNMARKED STATIC WIRE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:20 EDT
Nearest AirportJacksonville (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length2800 ft
Runway Width180 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28
Tail NumberN5290W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDavid L & Cathy Leftwich
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO