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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 18, 2008 · Piper PA-28R-180 · N4553J

Wrightsville, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 18, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Wrightsville, GA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-180
Tail Number
N4553J
Operator
Edward J Kobs
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI08LA137

The flight was taking off on a personal cross country flight when a gust of wind caught the airplane, forcing the nose up. The pilot pushed the nose down and the airplane impacted the ground along side the runway, causing substantial damage. The pilot reported winds were 10 knots gusting to 30 knots. A weather reporting station 45 miles away reported that the winds were from 270 degrees magnetic at 10 knots gusting to 21 knots about the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident were the gusty winds.

Full Narrative

On May 18, 2008, at 1400 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180; N4553J, was substantially damaged, when it impacted the ground during takeoff from runway 28 (2,560 by 75 feet) at The Farm Airport (01GE) in Wrightsville, Georgia. The pilot and his one passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and the 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The flight was departing at the time of the accident. The pilot reported winds were variable at 10 knots gusting to 30 knots. The winds, 45 miles away in Macon, Georgia, were reported being from 270 degrees magnetic at 13 knots gusting to 21 knots. The pilot said that after takeoff he added a second notch of flaps and retracted the gear. He said that at an altitude of 20-30 feet above the ground, a gust of wind caught the aircraft, and forced the nose up. The pilot then pushed the nose down and the aircraft was forced into bushes along the left side of the runway.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 EDT
Nearest AirportThe Farm Airport (0nm)
Runway28
Runway Length2560 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-180
Tail NumberN4553J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEdward J Kobs
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-B1E · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 65 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 13 kt, gusting 21 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.73 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data