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NTSB Report
August 31, 1988 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N15948
Charleston, WV
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 31, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Charleston, WV
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N15948
Operator
Kci Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO88LA080
THE PLT WAS EXECUTING THE ILS RWY 5 APCH WHEN HE ENTERED FOG ABOUT 350 FT ABOVE THE DH. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, UPON REACHING THE DH HE SIGHTED THE RWY AND CONTINUED THE APCH. AFTERWARD THE PLT SAID HE DEVIATED LEFT OF THE LOCALIZER CENTERLINE AND AS HE WAS TURNING BACK TO IT HE INADVERTENTLY DESCENDED BELOW THE GLIDE SLOPE AND STRUCK A TREE. THE TREE WAS ABOUT 300 FT LEFT OF THE RWY, ABOUT 50 FT BELOW IT, AND ABOUT 300 FT PAST THE RWY THRESHOLD. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO REMAIN AIRBORNE AND LANDED ABOUT 2000 FT DOWN THE RWY WHERE IT WENT OFF THE SIDE OF IT. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT ABOUT 12 INCHES OF THE LEFT WING INBOARD LEADING EDGE WAS PUSHED BACK TO THE SPAR AS A RESULT OF THE TREE STRIKE. THE ENTIRE LEFT WING WAS TWISTED DOWN ABOUT 30 DEGREES. DURING THE LANDING THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.
Full Narrative
THE PLT WAS EXECUTING THE ILS RWY 5 APCH WHEN HE ENTERED FOG ABOUT 350 FT ABOVE THE DH. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, UPON REACHING THE DH HE SIGHTED THE RWY AND CONTINUED THE APCH. AFTERWARD THE PLT SAID HE DEVIATED LEFT OF THE LOCALIZER CENTERLINE AND AS HE WAS TURNING BACK TO IT HE INADVERTENTLY DESCENDED BELOW THE GLIDE SLOPE AND STRUCK A TREE. THE TREE WAS ABOUT 300 FT LEFT OF THE RWY, ABOUT 50 FT BELOW IT, AND ABOUT 300 FT PAST THE RWY THRESHOLD. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO REMAIN AIRBORNE AND LANDED ABOUT 2000 FT DOWN THE RWY WHERE IT WENT OFF THE SIDE OF IT. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT ABOUT 12 INCHES OF THE LEFT WING INBOARD LEADING EDGE WAS PUSHED BACK TO THE SPAR AS A RESULT OF THE TREE STRIKE. THE ENTIRE LEFT WING WAS TWISTED DOWN ABOUT 30 DEGREES. DURING THE LANDING THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 EDT
Nearest AirportCharleston/Yeager (0nm N)
Runway5
Runway Length6302 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN15948
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKci Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1L · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 20 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 3 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:30
Weather SourceWFAC