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NTSB Report
January 4, 1989 · Piper PA-22-150 · N5704D
Limington, ME
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 4, 1989
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
Limington, ME
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-150
Tail Number
N5704D
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC89FA062
THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED ON AN APPROACH IN GUSTY, CROSSWIND CONDITIONS. AT THE THRESHOLD, THE PILOT PULLED UP WITH APPLICATION OF POWER & INITIATED A GO-AROUND & A LEFT TURN. THE AIRCRAFT PASSED VERY LOW OVER TREES NEAR THE RUNWAY. WITNESSES REPORTED THEY OBSERVED THE TAIL PITCH UP & THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE & CRASHED. NO PRE-EXISTING FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND WITH THE AIRCRAFT. A SIGMET FOR OCCASIONAL SEVERE TURBULENCE BELOW 6000' & WINDSHEAR WAS IN EFFECT. HIGH WINDS WERE NOTED OVER A LARGE AREA. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF A WX BRIEFING FOR THE PILOT. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN CONVERTED TO A TAILWHEEL CONFIGURATION VIA STC. IT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH SHOULDER HARNESSES. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER DIED FROM A SEVERE HEAD INJURY. THE LOW TIME PILOT HAD ONLY 6 HRS FLIGHT TIME IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF AIRCRAFT.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WIND CONDITIONS, LACK OF PILOT EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF AIRCRAFT, AND THE LACK OF SHOULDER HARNESS/UPPER BODY RESTRAINT DURING IMPACT.
Full Narrative
THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED ON AN APPROACH IN GUSTY, CROSSWIND CONDITIONS. AT THE THRESHOLD, THE PILOT PULLED UP WITH APPLICATION OF POWER & INITIATED A GO-AROUND & A LEFT TURN. THE AIRCRAFT PASSED VERY LOW OVER TREES NEAR THE RUNWAY. WITNESSES REPORTED THEY OBSERVED THE TAIL PITCH UP & THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE & CRASHED. NO PRE-EXISTING FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND WITH THE AIRCRAFT. A SIGMET FOR OCCASIONAL SEVERE TURBULENCE BELOW 6000' & WINDSHEAR WAS IN EFFECT. HIGH WINDS WERE NOTED OVER A LARGE AREA. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF A WX BRIEFING FOR THE PILOT. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN CONVERTED TO A TAILWHEEL CONFIGURATION VIA STC. IT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH SHOULDER HARNESSES. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER DIED FROM A SEVERE HEAD INJURY. THE LOW TIME PILOT HAD ONLY 6 HRS FLIGHT TIME IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF AIRCRAFT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EST
Nearest AirportLimington-Harmon (25nm S)
Runway29
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-22-150
Tail NumberN5704D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal2
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 20 kt, gusting 31 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point7 C / 14 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:50
Weather SourceWFAC