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May 15, 2003 · Piper PA-18-135 · N2581A

Prescott, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 15, 2003
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Prescott, WI
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-135
Tail Number
N2581A
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI03LA127

The airplane impacted terrain after the pilot lost control during an attempted go-around. The pilot reported the airplane floated in ground effect so he decided to go-around. The pilot stated the airplane was unable to clear a line of trees off the south end of the runway. The pilot indicated he banked the airplane to the left, "but still felt [he] could not clear the north-south tree line to the east." The pilot reported he increased his rate of turn, and the airplane subsequently lost altitude and impacted terrain.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot delaying the go-around and the maneuver to avoid the treeline. Factors to the accident were the treeline and the airplane's low altitude.

Full Narrative

On May 15, 2003, at 1100 central daylight time, a Piper PA-18-135, N2581A, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with the terrain near Prescott, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot reported minor injuries and the passenger reported serious injuries. The local flight departed a private airstrip near Prescott, Wisconsin, at 1000. The pilot stated that during landing the airplane was still floating in ground effect as he approached the south end of the runway, and he decided to go-around. The pilot reported he increased engine power to full, turned off the carburetor heat, and left the wing flaps fully extended. The pilot stated the airplane was unable to clear a line of trees at the end of the runway. The pilot indicated he banked the airplane to the left, "but still felt [he] could not clear the north-south tree line to the east." The pilot stated he "tightened the turn to avoid [the trees]." The pilot reported the airplane lost altitude and impacted the terrain. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the accident flight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 CDT
Nearest AirportPRIVATE (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length1300 ft
Runway Width45 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-135
Tail NumberN2581A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290-DZ · Reciprocating · 135
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 1200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 48
Altimeter29.43 inHg
Observation Time15:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data