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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 9, 1985 · Piper PA-28-180 · N7475W

Abbeville, SC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 9, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Abbeville, SC
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N7475W
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL85FA242

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES & THE GROUND AFTER GOING INTO A LEFT TURN DURING A GO-AROUND INITIATED AFTER A BOUNCY LANDING. AFTER POWER WAS ADDED FOR THE GO-AROUND THE ACFT SEEMED TO BE UNCONTROLLED SO THAT THE CFI ON THE GROUND, WHO HAD JUST EXITED THE ACFT AFTER SEVERAL LANDINGS, USED A HAND-HELD RADIO TO TELL THE STUDENT PLT TO LEVEL HIS WINGS. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE ACFT WHICH CONTINUED TO TURN INTO THE TREES. AN AUTOPSY PERFORMED ON THE PLT AFTER THE ACC SHOWED THAT THE HEART ATTACK HAD OCCURRED AND IT IS BELIEVED TO HAVE INCAPACITATED THE PLT JUST AFTER THE GO-AROUND WAS INITIATED.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES & THE GROUND AFTER GOING INTO A LEFT TURN DURING A GO-AROUND INITIATED AFTER A BOUNCY LANDING. AFTER POWER WAS ADDED FOR THE GO-AROUND THE ACFT SEEMED TO BE UNCONTROLLED SO THAT THE CFI ON THE GROUND, WHO HAD JUST EXITED THE ACFT AFTER SEVERAL LANDINGS, USED A HAND-HELD RADIO TO TELL THE STUDENT PLT TO LEVEL HIS WINGS. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE ACFT WHICH CONTINUED TO TURN INTO THE TREES. AN AUTOPSY PERFORMED ON THE PLT AFTER THE ACC SHOWED THAT THE HEART ATTACK HAD OCCURRED AND IT IS BELIEVED TO HAVE INCAPACITATED THE PLT JUST AFTER THE GO-AROUND WAS INITIATED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 EDT
Nearest AirportDavis Field (1nm NNE)
Runway8
Runway Length2240 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN7475W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A3A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data