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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 21, 2002 · Johnson Hornet · N1928J

Archdale, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Archdale, NC
Aircraft
Johnson Hornet
Tail Number
N1928J
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA02LA171

The pilot stated that just after takeoff he realized that he forgot to secure the right door. He elected to return for landing and on approach he was lined up with the taxiway, and not the runway as he intended. He attempted to steer the airplane to the right in an attempt to make the runway, but could not attain the needed airspeed to correct the direction of flight, or climb enough to avoid impacting the trees. The pilot said, "…this accident was due to pilot error, nothing to due with the aircraft or power plant...I failed to fly the plane with full attention to landing. I gave too much attention to the door."

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during final approach, which resulted in the airplane drifting off course and impacting with trees. Factors in this accident were the pilot's attention being diverted due to the right door not being secured.

Full Narrative

On September 21, 2002, about 1258 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Johnson Hornet, N1928J, registered to and operated by an individual, impacted with trees during landing at Johnson Field Airport, Archdale, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The local personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private-rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight had originated from the same private airstrip at 1255. The pilot stated that just after takeoff from runway 21, he started a left turn at about 300 feet when he "suddenly" realized that he "forgot to secure [the] right door." He said he got concerned that the door would break loose and hit the propeller. He elected to return for landing on runway 03. He approached the runway, and that a "1/4 tail crosswind" pushed the flight towards the trees. He said that he "…failed to monitor the airspeed," and when he attempted to add power to the engine, to climb over trees, he "…couldn't accelerate fast enough" to avoid the upper part of the trees. The pilot said, "…this accident was due to pilot error, nothing to due with the aircraft or power plant...I failed to fly the plane with full attention to landing. I gave too much attention to the door." According to the FAA Inspector's statement, the pilot did not realize upon landing approach that he was lined up with the "taxiway," and not the runway as he intended. The pilot attempted to "steer" the airplane to the right in an attempt to make the runway, but could not "attain" the needed airspeed fast enough to correct the direction of flight, or climb enough to "avoid" the trees.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:58 EDT
Nearest AirportJohnson Field (0.2nm SSW)
Runway03
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftJohnson Hornet
Tail NumberN1928J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsHirth · 2706 YOXC · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 73 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Observation Time17:03
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data