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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

September 25, 1988 · Piper PA-28 · N6151W

Hutchinson, MN

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 25, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Hutchinson, MN
Aircraft
Piper PA-28
Tail Number
N6151W
Operator
James H Hamilton
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI88FA244

THE STUDENT PLT WAS OBSERVED PRACTICING LANDINGS. ONE WITNESS RPRTD THE WIND HAD SHIFTED TO A X-WIND & THE STUDENT HAD CHANGED FROM RWY 15 TO RWY 33. AFTER 2 UNREMARKABLE TOUCH-&-GO LANDINGS, HE APCHD FOR ANOTHER LANDING. A PLT WITNESS RPRTD THE ACFT BALLOONED DRG THE FLARE & SUBSEQUENTLY BOUNCED AFTER TOUCHING DOWN LONG. THE STUDENT APPLIED POWER FOR A GO-AROUND, BUT AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT CONTD IN AN ARC TO THE LEFT. THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE APRX 200' LEFT OF THE RWY, THEN THE ACFT DSCNDD IN A LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE & CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DRG THE INVESTIGATION.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE STUDENT RATED PILOT TO USE PROPER CONTROL INPUTS AND PROCEDURES TO REGAIN AND MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHILE EXECUTING A GO-AROUND FROM A BOUNCED LANDING. THE PILOTS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THE CAUSE.

Full Narrative

THE STUDENT PLT WAS OBSERVED PRACTICING LANDINGS. ONE WITNESS RPRTD THE WIND HAD SHIFTED TO A X-WIND & THE STUDENT HAD CHANGED FROM RWY 15 TO RWY 33. AFTER 2 UNREMARKABLE TOUCH-&-GO LANDINGS, HE APCHD FOR ANOTHER LANDING. A PLT WITNESS RPRTD THE ACFT BALLOONED DRG THE FLARE & SUBSEQUENTLY BOUNCED AFTER TOUCHING DOWN LONG. THE STUDENT APPLIED POWER FOR A GO-AROUND, BUT AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT CONTD IN AN ARC TO THE LEFT. THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE APRX 200' LEFT OF THE RWY, THEN THE ACFT DSCNDD IN A LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE & CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DRG THE INVESTIGATION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:28 CDT
Nearest AirportHutchinson Muni (0nm N)
Runway33
Runway Length3206 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28
Tail NumberN6151W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJames H Hamilton
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 28 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 9 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data