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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 1, 2002 · Piper PA-28-181 · N8071Z

Edgartown, MA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 1, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Edgartown, MA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N8071Z
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC03LA003

Arriving in the airport area, the pilot determined that the wind was favoring runway 06. While on approach to runway 06, severe turbulence and a wind shift was encountered. After crossing the threshold of the runway, the airplane appeared to be landing with a tailwind, and the pilot initiated a go-around. During the go-around, as the pilot pulled back on the control yoke, the airplane continued to descend towards the ground. The airplane struck a tree, touched down in a grass field located beyond the departure end of the runway, and came to rest upright. The recorded weather at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident, included winds from 250 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 21 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate in-flight evaluation of the landing facilities wind conditions, and inadequate airspeed resulting in a stall/mush. A factor related to the accident was the tailwind condition.

Full Narrative

On October 1, 2002, about 1050 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N8071Z, was substantially damaged during a go-around from the Katama Airport, Edgartown, Massachusetts. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, upon arriving in the airport area, he determined that the wind was favoring runway 06; a 2,700-foot long, 50-foot wide, turf runway. While on approach to runway 06, severe turbulence and a wind shift was encountered. After crossing the threshold of the runway, the airplane appeared to be landing with a tailwind, and the pilot initiated a go-around. During the go-around, as the pilot pulled back on the control yoke, the airplane continued to descend toward the ground. The airplane struck a tree, touched down in a grass field located beyond the departure end of the runway, and came to rest upright. The pilot additionally reported he did not experience any difficulties with the engine or airframe during the flight. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the lower empennage section of the airplane. The examination did not reveal any mechanical anomalies with the engine or airframe. The recorded weather at a nearby airport, at 1053, included winds from 250 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The recorded winds at 0953 were from 260 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 19 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:50 EDT
Nearest AirportKatama Airport (0nm)
Runway06
Runway Length2700 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN8071Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 181
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 62 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 16 kt, gusting 21 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 63 F
Altimeter30.14 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data