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October 21, 2001 · Piper PA-28-160 · N5725W

Buckhannon, WV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 21, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Buckhannon, WV
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-160
Tail Number
N5725W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC02LA016

After two unsuccessful attempts to land on runway 29, due to crosswind conditions, the student pilot attempted a third landing. The airplane touched down about 400-600 feet beyond the runway threshold, and departed the right side of the runway onto the grass. The student pilot applied full power and attempted to abort the landing; however, when he raised the nose of the airplane, the stall warning horn sounded. The student pilot realized that he would not be able to climb over an embankment and aborted the takeoff. The airplane continued into the embankment, sheared off the nose gear, and came to rest upright. The pilot estimated the wind from 270 degrees at 20 knots, gusts to 25 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. A factor related to the accident were the gusting wind conditions.

Full Narrative

On October 21, 2001, about 1450 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-160, N5725W, was substantially damaged while landing at the Upshur County Regional Airport (W22), Buckhannon, West Virginia. The certificated student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the student pilot, upon arrival at W22, he made a low pass over the airport to observe the wind indicator, which was a flag on a pole. The flag indicated that the wind was gusty, straight down the runway. The student pilot entered the traffic pattern for runway 29. While on final approach, the student pilot experienced a strong crosswind 10-15 feet above the runway, and executed a go-around. On the student pilot's second attempt to land, he experienced the same wind conditions and again, elected to execute a go-around. On the student pilot's third attempt to land, the airplane touched down about 400-600 feet beyond the runway threshold, and departed the right side of the runway onto the grass. The student pilot applied full power and attempted to abort the landing; however, when he raised the nose of the airplane, the stall warning horn sounded. The student pilot realized that he would not be able to climb over an embankment and aborted the takeoff. The airplane continued into the embankment, sheared off the nose gear, and came to rest upright. A fire developed in the engine compartment and was extinguished by the student pilot. Examination of the wreckage by the FAA inspector revealed that besides the landing gear damage, the firewall was buckled, the propeller tips were curled, and spar damage to the right wing was observed. The pilot estimated the wind from 270 degrees at 20 knots, gusts to 25 knots. The recorded weather at an airport located 11 miles southeast of W22, about the time of the accident, included winds from 300 degrees at 9 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:50 EDT
Nearest AirportUpshur County Regional Airport (0nm)
Runway29
Runway Length3500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-160
Tail NumberN5725W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 32 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C
Altimeter30.15 inHg
Observation Time19:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data