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NTSB Report
May 29, 1989 · Piper PA28R-180 · N4980J
Frankfort, IL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 29, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Frankfort, IL
Aircraft
Piper PA28R-180
Tail Number
N4980J
Operator
Pickett Ronald E
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI89LA096
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND WITH A RIGHT QUARTERING HEADWIND, THE WIND SHIFTED TO A RIGHT QUARTERING TAILWIND AND STARTED TO GUST. THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT, TOWARDS SOME PARKED AIRPLANES AND HANGARS, SO THE PILOT ELECTED TO PERFORM A GO-AROUND. WHILE THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLIMB OUT AND CLEAR THE HANGARS, THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT. THE LEFT WING STRUCK A HANGAR, THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE GROUND, AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED INTO THE GROUND.
NTSB Probable Cause
PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN CROSS/TAILWIND CONDITIONS.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND WITH A RIGHT QUARTERING HEADWIND, THE WIND SHIFTED TO A RIGHT QUARTERING TAILWIND AND STARTED TO GUST. THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT, TOWARDS SOME PARKED AIRPLANES AND HANGARS, SO THE PILOT ELECTED TO PERFORM A GO-AROUND. WHILE THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLIMB OUT AND CLEAR THE HANGARS, THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT. THE LEFT WING STRUCK A HANGAR, THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE GROUND, AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED INTO THE GROUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:15 CDT
Nearest AirportFrankfort (0nm N)
Runway9
Runway Length3176 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA28R-180
Tail NumberN4980J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPickett Ronald E
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-B1E · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 12 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:50