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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 27, 2005 · Piper PA-28-140 · N8730E

Indian Head, MD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 27, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Indian Head, MD
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N8730E
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC05CA076

The airplane was on final approach to runway 36, a 3,000-foot-long, 50-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The pilot stated that he experienced a "sudden unexpected descent." He applied full engine power; however, the right wing struck a tree, and the airplane impacted the ground, about 100 to 150 feet, short of the runway. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions. Winds reported about the time of the accident, at an airport that was located about 10 miles northwest of the accident site, were from 330 degrees at 9 knots, with 14 knot gusts.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance while on final approach, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. A factor in this accident was the gusty wind conditions.

Full Narrative

On April 27, 2005, about 1600 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N8730E, was substantially damaged while landing at the Maryland Airport (2W5), Indian Head, Maryland. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that the airplane was on final approach to runway 36, a 3,000-foot-long, 50-foot-wide, asphalt runway, when he experienced a "sudden unexpected descent." He applied full engine power; however, the right wing struck a tree, and the airplane impacted the ground. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions. The inspector noted that the approach end of the runway contained a 50-foot drop off. The airplane impacted the ground about 100 to 150 feet prior to the runway. The pilot reported 400 hours of total fight experience, which included about 95 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. Winds reported about the time of the accident, at an airport that was located about 10 miles northwest of 2W5, were from 330 degrees at 9 knots, with 14 knot gusts.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 EDT
Nearest AirportMaryland Airport (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN8730E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 77 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 9 kt, gusting 14 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 36 C
Altimeter29.70 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data