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April 7, 1985 · Piper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30 · N2135A

Port Huron, MI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 7, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Port Huron, MI
Aircraft
Piper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30
Tail Number
N2135A
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI85LA155

AFTER A PRACTICE INSTRUMENT APCH, THE PLT (PIC) ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND ON RWY 23. WHILE IN THE PATTERN, THEAIR BECAME VERY TURBULENT. UNICOM REPORTED THE WIND WAS FROM 270 DEG AT 20 GUSTING 35 KTS. ON FINAL APCH WITH THE FLAPS FULLY EXTENDED, THE PLT INITIATED A GO-AROUND AT APRX 50 FT AGL & APPLIED POWER TO 36' MANIFOLD PRESSURE. HE STATED THATTHE AIRSPEED WAS APRX 110 KTS WHEN THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A SEVERE VERTICAL DOWNWIND SHEAR, STRUCK THE GROUND APRX 10 FT WEST OF THE RWY, & HIT A RWY LIGHT. TWO WITNESSES NOTED THAT THE ACFT APPEARED SO SLOW ON FINAL APCH THAT THEY WENT TO THE UNICOM TO ADVISE THAT 'THE WINDS WERE NOW 290 DEG AT 25 GUSTING TO 35.' THEY SAID POWER WAS APPLIED & THE ACFT PITCHED NOSE DOWN. ALSO, A WITNESS REPORTED 'HEAVY' WX APRX 10 TO 15 MI WEST OF THE ARPT, MOVING EAST, & RAIN BEGAN SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE FLT MANUAL NOTED: WHEN POWER IS ADVANCED FOR A GO-AROUND FROM A LOW POWER, FULL FLAP APPROACH, A NOSE DOWN PITCH WILL OCCUR WHICH MUST BE COUNTERED WITH AFT CONTROL INPUT.

Full Narrative

AFTER A PRACTICE INSTRUMENT APCH, THE PLT (PIC) ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND ON RWY 23. WHILE IN THE PATTERN, THEAIR BECAME VERY TURBULENT. UNICOM REPORTED THE WIND WAS FROM 270 DEG AT 20 GUSTING 35 KTS. ON FINAL APCH WITH THE FLAPS FULLY EXTENDED, THE PLT INITIATED A GO-AROUND AT APRX 50 FT AGL & APPLIED POWER TO 36' MANIFOLD PRESSURE. HE STATED THATTHE AIRSPEED WAS APRX 110 KTS WHEN THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A SEVERE VERTICAL DOWNWIND SHEAR, STRUCK THE GROUND APRX 10 FT WEST OF THE RWY, & HIT A RWY LIGHT. TWO WITNESSES NOTED THAT THE ACFT APPEARED SO SLOW ON FINAL APCH THAT THEY WENT TO THE UNICOM TO ADVISE THAT 'THE WINDS WERE NOW 290 DEG AT 25 GUSTING TO 35.' THEY SAID POWER WAS APPLIED & THE ACFT PITCHED NOSE DOWN. ALSO, A WITNESS REPORTED 'HEAVY' WX APRX 10 TO 15 MI WEST OF THE ARPT, MOVING EAST, & RAIN BEGAN SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE FLT MANUAL NOTED: WHEN POWER IS ADVANCED FOR A GO-AROUND FROM A LOW POWER, FULL FLAP APPROACH, A NOSE DOWN PITCH WILL OCCUR WHICH MUST BE COUNTERED WITH AFT CONTROL INPUT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 EST
Nearest AirportSt. Clair County (0nm N)
Runway23
Runway Length5100 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30
Tail NumberN2135A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-K1G5D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 30 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data