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NTSB Report
September 22, 1989 · Piper PA-28-181 · N43804
Cleveland, TN
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 22, 1989
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Cleveland, TN
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N43804
Operator
Cleveland Aero Club
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL89LA216
THE FLIGHT WAS FLOWN WITH AN IFR CLEARANCE WHICH WAS CANCELLED NEAR THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. THE PILOT REPORTED 20 MILES VISIBILITY BENEATH THE OVERCAST AS HE APPROACHED THE AIRPORT. HE FLEW OVER THE RUNWAY & ENTERED A LEFT DOWNWIND LEG. ON SHORT FINAL AT ABOUT 250 FEET FOG WAS OBSERVED BENEATH THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED INTO THE FOG, POWER WAS INCREASED, & A LEFT TURN WAS BEGUN FOR THE MISSED APPROACH. A CLIMB WAS NOT INITIATED PRIOR TO THE TURN & THE FLAPS WERE RETRACTED AT LOW SPEED. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES, & EVENTUALLY STALLED. IT COLLIDED WITH TWO HOUSES DURING THE UNCONTROLLED DESCENT, THEN CAME TO REST IN A BACK YARD.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE IMPROPER HANDLING OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND; A DELAYED GO-AROUND, AND THE PREMATURE RETRACTIONS OF THE FLAPS.
Full Narrative
THE FLIGHT WAS FLOWN WITH AN IFR CLEARANCE WHICH WAS CANCELLED NEAR THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. THE PILOT REPORTED 20 MILES VISIBILITY BENEATH THE OVERCAST AS HE APPROACHED THE AIRPORT. HE FLEW OVER THE RUNWAY & ENTERED A LEFT DOWNWIND LEG. ON SHORT FINAL AT ABOUT 250 FEET FOG WAS OBSERVED BENEATH THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED INTO THE FOG, POWER WAS INCREASED, & A LEFT TURN WAS BEGUN FOR THE MISSED APPROACH. A CLIMB WAS NOT INITIATED PRIOR TO THE TURN & THE FLAPS WERE RETRACTED AT LOW SPEED. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES, & EVENTUALLY STALLED. IT COLLIDED WITH TWO HOUSES DURING THE UNCONTROLLED DESCENT, THEN CAME TO REST IN A BACK YARD.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:10 EDT
Nearest AirportHARDWICK (0nm N)
Runway3
Runway Length3300 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN43804
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCleveland Aero Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility12 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:53
Weather SourceWFAC