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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 20, 2003 · Piper PA-23-250 · N5224Y

Fort Pierce, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 20, 2003
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Location
Fort Pierce, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-250
Tail Number
N5224Y
Operator
John Francis Pereira
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA03LA145

According to the pilot, after landing the airplane pulled to the left, he aborted the landing and set up for another landing. On the second landing, the pilot said he approached slower and touched down on the center of the runway. When he lowered the nose gear the airplane turned left, departed the runway and struck trees. The left wing tip sheared off and the right wing separated from the fuselage before the airplane came to a full stop. A witness stated to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident, he observed the airplane pitching up and down during two attempts to land and flying radically. The witness added he has known the pilot for many years and stated the pilot "does not fly that way." The pilot's 14-year-old grandson was seated in the front next to the pilot, while the other two passengers were seated in the center row of seats. The FAA inspector stated "no evidence of nose wheel failure was discovered."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing roll resulting in collision with trees after the airplane departed the runway.

Full Narrative

On July 20, 2003, about 1330 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-23-250, N5224Y, registered to Pereira Enterprises Inc. and operated by an individual, impacted with trees during the landing roll at the Treasure Coast Airpark, Fort Pierce, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 local personal flight. The airplane incurred substantial damaged. The commercial-rated pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries, while the other two passengers reported no injuries. The flight had originated from the same airport, at 1315, earlier that day. According to the pilot, after landing the airplane pulled to the left, he aborted the landing and set up for another landing. On the second landing, the pilot said he approached slower and touched down on the center of the runway. When he lowered the nose gear the airplane turned left, departed the runway and struck trees. The left wing tip sheared off and the right wing separated from the fuselage before the airplane came to a full stop. A witness stated to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident, he observed the airplane pitching up and down during two attempts to land and flying radically. The witness added he has known the pilot for many years and stated the pilot "does not fly that way." The pilot's 14 -year-old grandson was seated in the front next to the pilot, while the other two passengers were seated in the center row of seats. The FAA inspector stated "no evidence of nose wheel failure was discovered".

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 EDT
Nearest AirportTreasure Coast Airpark (0nm)
Runway090
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-23-250
Tail NumberN5224Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJohn Francis Pereira
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · 0540-A1D5 · Reciprocating · 250 | Lycoming · 0540-A1D5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured2
Total4
Crew 1Age 77 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data