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March 29, 2019 · Piper PA28 180 · N8397W

Aberdeen, MS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 29, 2019
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Aberdeen, MS
Aircraft
Piper PA28 180 (1965)
Tail Number
N8397W
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN19TA112

The pilot and the passenger, who had recently purchased the airplane, were repositioning the airplane to the destination airport. According to the passenger, who was a student pilot, the pilot was acting as the pilot-in-command and was manipulating the flight controls. The passenger stated that the flight was uneventful until landing. During the landing flare, the airplane was slightly left of the runway centerline when it suddenly veered left after touchdown. As the airplane continued off the left side of the runway, the pilot applied full power and attempted to abort the landing. During the aborted landing, the airplane collided with the airport perimeter fence then continued into a ditch. The pilot had no memory of the accident flight. The postaccident airplane examination did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The flaps were found fully extended. It is likely that the pilot did not maintain directional control during landing and that the airplane did not gain enough altitude during the go-around attempt to avoid the airport perimeter fence.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing, which resulted in a collision with a fence and impact with terrain during the attempted aborted landing.

Full Narrative

On March 29, 2019, at 1745 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180 airplane, N8397W, collided with an airport perimeter fence and a ditch after an aborted landing at Monroe County Airport, (M40), Aberdeen/Amory, Mississippi. The private pilot and passenger received minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Marion County-Rankin Fite Airport (HAB), Hamilton, Alabama about 1715. The passenger, who held a student pilot certificate with about 40 hours of flight time, stated that he had recently purchased the airplane and planned to take lessons from a flight instructor at M40 on April 1, 2019. He and the private pilot intended to reposition the airplane to M40 where it was to be refueled for the upcoming flight instruction. He stated the private pilot was acting as the pilot in command and was manipulating the flight controls. He added that the flight was uneventful until the landing at M40. During the landing flare, the airplane was slightly left of the runway centerline when it suddenly veered left. As the airplane continued off the left side of the runway, the private pilot applied full power and attempted to abort the landing. During the aborted landing the airplane collided with the north-south airport perimeter fence then continued into a ditch (figure 1). Figure 1 – Accident airplane in a ditch After the airplane impacted the ditch, the private pilot was unconscious for a few minutes until first responders arrived. The pilot was taken to a local hospital and treated for a concussion. He reported that he has no memory of the accident flight. A review of the airport surveillance video revealed the wind was from the south about 10 knots. The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector completed a postaccident examination of the airplane on April 1, 2019. The flaps were found fully extended and the flight control cables were continuous. The nose landing gear was impact damaged; the corresponding rudder cable was off of the pulley and the cable's attachment point to the rudder pedal was broken. The examination did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The FAA inspector's photos revealed tire tracks in the grass where the airplane exited the runway. The tire tracks continued left across the taxiway and led to a knocked over fence post and metal fence laid on the ground toward the airplane. The airplane came to rest facing northwest toward the runway 18 threshold (figure 2). Figure 2 – Airplane in a ditch facing toward the runway 18 threshold

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:45 CDT
Nearest AirportMonroe County (0nm NNE)
Runway18
Runway Length4999 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA28 180
Tail NumberN8397W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A3A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class · Minor
Crew 2Age 56 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 55
Altimeter29.81 inHg
Observation Time22:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data