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NTSB Report
June 17, 1986 · Piper PA-28-160 · N5444W
Michellville, MD
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 17, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Michellville, MD
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-160
Tail Number
N5444W
Operator
Paul B Essex
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO86FA036
AFTER CIRCLING AROUND THE AIRPORT, TRYING TO RAISE SOMEBODY ON UNICOM TO FIND OUT WIND CONDITIONS AT THE FIELD, THE PILOT NOTED THE LIGHTED WINDSOCK INDICATOR AND ELECTED TO LAND TO THE NORTH. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO LAND LONG ON THE 2420 FOOT RUNWAY, TOUCHING DOWN PAST THE MIDWAY POINT, AND THEN THE ENGINE SOUNDS INCREASED. IT WAS NEXT OBSERVED TO CROSS OVER A HIGHWAY OFF THE NORTH END OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDE WITH THE TOP BRANCHES OF A TREE BEFORE NOSING DOWN INTO A FIELD. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE MISSED ALL SIGNS OF A DOWNWIND LANDING UNTIL TOO LATE.
Full Narrative
AFTER CIRCLING AROUND THE AIRPORT, TRYING TO RAISE SOMEBODY ON UNICOM TO FIND OUT WIND CONDITIONS AT THE FIELD, THE PILOT NOTED THE LIGHTED WINDSOCK INDICATOR AND ELECTED TO LAND TO THE NORTH. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO LAND LONG ON THE 2420 FOOT RUNWAY, TOUCHING DOWN PAST THE MIDWAY POINT, AND THEN THE ENGINE SOUNDS INCREASED. IT WAS NEXT OBSERVED TO CROSS OVER A HIGHWAY OFF THE NORTH END OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDE WITH THE TOP BRANCHES OF A TREE BEFORE NOSING DOWN INTO A FIELD. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE MISSED ALL SIGNS OF A DOWNWIND LANDING UNTIL TOO LATE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:40 EDT
Nearest AirportFREEWAY (5nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length2420 ft
Runway Width30 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-160
Tail NumberN5444W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPaul B Essex
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind210° @ 14 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:00
Weather SourceWFAC