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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 3, 2010 · Piper PA-25-235 · N9809P

Fairfield, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 3, 2010
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Fairfield, PA
Aircraft
Piper PA-25-235
Tail Number
N9809P
Operator
Pixton David H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA10LA345

The pilot of the tow plane had just completed his third glider tow and landed. Witnesses observed the airplane touchdown further down the landing area than was typical and noted that the approach appeared to be very high and fast. During the landing roll, the pilot intentionally ground looped the airplane to avoid colliding with people and other obstacles at the end of the landing area. The tow plane impacted a stationary glider positioned to be launched on the runway. The glider's left wing and rudder incurred substantial damage, as did the tow plane's right wing and horizontal stabilizer. A postaccident examination revealed that there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On July 3, 2010, about 1315 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N9809P, operated by the Mid-Atlantic Soaring Association, collided with a stationary Schleicher ASW-27 glider, N747GW, while landing at the Mid-Atlantic Soaring Center (W73), Fairfield, Pennsylvania. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the glider, operated by a private individual, also incurred substantial damage. Neither pilot was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flights. According to the pilot of the airplane, he had just completed his third glider tow and was returning to land in a northwesterly direction on the grass between runway 15/33 and a service road. After touchdown, he “was unable to achieve braking." There were people and a truck with a trailer at the end of the landing area, so the pilot intentionally ground looped the airplane to prevent running into them. During the ground loop, the airplane turned sharply to the left and impacted the glider, which was awaiting launch on runway 15. The leading edge of the airplane’s right wing and its horizontal stabilizer were both substantially damaged. The glider pilot stated that the airplane “appeared to be landing long” before turning towards the glider. The airplane impacted the glider from behind the left wing, forcing it off the runway. Several feet of the glider’s left wing were separated on impact by the airplane’s propeller and its rudder was cut in half. Witnesses to the accident observed that the airplane was “very high and fast” on its approach, and landed “much further down” the grass strip than typical. One witness stated that he “was fully expecting a go-around… (but) it became evident that the tow plane had neither the space to stop, nor the space to safely clear ground support personnel if it tried to go around.” A post-accident inspection of the airplane performed by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found no mechanical abnormalities with the airplane’s brake system.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:15 EDT
Nearest AirportMid Atlantic Soaring Center (0nm)
Runway15
Runway Length2700 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-25-235
Tail NumberN9809P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPixton David H
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540 SERIES · Reciprocating · 250
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 84 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 63 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter30.19 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data