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September 21, 2002 · Piper PA-32RT-300 · N607JW

St. Simons Island, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 2002
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
St. Simons Island, GA
Aircraft
Piper PA-32RT-300
Tail Number
N607JW
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL02LA173

According to the pilot, he was taking a check-ride for his certified flight instructor's rating in single engine airplanes. He and the check pilot had completed several flight maneuvers and were conducting a simulated 180-degree power-off landing. The simulated maneuver was established for runway 04; the engine was operating at reduced power. The pilot recalled that approximately three quarters through the turn, the airspeed got slow and the sink rate increased. At approximately the same time, witnesses on the ground noticed that the airplane had overshot the final approach course for the runway. The pilot applied power to arrest the sink rate and to reestablish the final approach course. When the check pilot elected to take control of the airplane, he realized that there was not enough altitude to complete the recovery. Witnesses on the ground also observed the airplane as it collided with tops of trees short of the runway. One witness reported that the nose of the airplane pitched up and the pilot recalled that the left wing fell and the airplane collided with the ground in a nose low attitude. The airplane came to rest about 60 feet short of the runway surface and burst into flames. Neither pilot reported a mechanical problem with the airplane during the simulated emergency.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a simulated emergency landing, and his delayed remedial action that resulted in a stall, and an uncontrolled collision with trees. A factor was the check pilot's inadaquate supervision of the check ride.

Full Narrative

On September 21, 2002, at 1015 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT-300, registered to Pine Valley Aviation and flown by the commercial pilot, collided with the ground and burst into flames short of runway 4 while on approach to land at Malcolm B. McKinnon Airport in Brunswick, Georgia. The training flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot was not injured and the air transport pilot, check pilot, received serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Brunswick, Georgia, at 1000, on September 21, 2002. According to the pilot, he was taking a check-ride for his certified flight instructor's rating in single engine airplanes. He and the check pilot had completed several flight maneuvers and were conducting a simulated180-degree power-off landing. The simulated maneuver was established for runway 04; the engine was operating at reduced power. The pilot recalled that approximately three quarters through the turn, the airspeed got slow and the sink rate increased. At approximately the same time, witnesses on the ground noticed that the airplane had overshoot the final approach course for the runway. The pilot applied power to arrest the sink rate and to reestablish the final approach course. When the check pilot elected to take control of the airplane, he realized that there was not enough altitude to complete the recovery. Witnesses on the ground also observed the airplane as it collided with tops of trees short of the runway. One witness reported that the nose of the airplane pitched up and the pilot recalled that the left wing fell and the airplane collided with the ground in a nose low attitude. The airplane came to rest about 60 feet short of the runway surface and burst into flames. Examination of the airplane revealed that both wings were torn from the airframe. The right wing rested adjacent to the main wreckage and several other pieces of the airframe were scattered in the immediate vicinity of the main wreckage. Neither pilot reported a mechanical problem with the airplane during the simulated emergency.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 EDT
Nearest AirportSaint Simons Island (0nm)
Runway04
Runway Length5421 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32RT-300
Tail NumberN607JW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-0540 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class · Serious
Crew 2Age 18 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.26 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data