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August 25, 2017 · Piper PA28R 180 · N3805T

Monroe, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 25, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Monroe, NC
Aircraft
Piper PA28R 180 (1969)
Tail Number
N3805T
Operator
Pressley Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA17LA301

During a preflight inspection of the airplane, the flight instructor and the student pilot observed a small hole in the upper surface of the left wing and skin wrinkling on the upper and lower surfaces of the left wing. The airplane had been flown twice on the previous day. The first flight, which was in the morning, was conducted by the same flight instructor and student pilot who noticed the damage. They reported that no damage was present when they performed a postflight inspection of the airplane. The second flight, which was in the afternoon, was conducted by another pilot as a personal flight. That pilot did not notice the damage during his preflight inspection. However, the damage was visible in photographs taken by a passenger on that flight, both on the ground before departure and during takeoff. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing spar. The damage was consistent with a hard landing; however, the investigation could not determine when the damage occurred.

NTSB Probable Cause

Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined - C

Full Narrative

On August 25, 2017, about 1000 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA28R-180, N3805T, exhibited substantial damage during a preflight inspection at the Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport (EQY), Monroe, North Carolina. A flight instructor and student pilot were preparing for an instructional flight operated by Pressley Aviation LLC. The time and date of the accident are unknown.During a preflight inspection of the airplane, a flight instructor and student pilot observed a small hole in the upper surface of the left wing, and skin wrinkling on the upper and lower surfaces of the left wing. According to operator records, the airplane, which was based at EQY, had flown twice on the previous day. The first flight was in the morning and was conducted by the same flight instructor and student pilot who noticed the damage. They reported that no damage was present when they performed a postflight inspection of the airplane. The airplane was then flown in the afternoon by another pilot, as a personal flight. That pilot did not notice the damage during his preflight inspection. However, the damage was visible in photographs taken by a passenger on that flight, both on the ground prior to departure and during the takeoff. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing spar.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EDT
Nearest AirportCharlotte-Monroe Executive (0nm N)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA28R 180
Tail NumberN3805T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPressley Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-B1E · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 21 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 54 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.10 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data