MONCKS CORNER, SC, USA
N803BW
WENTE KITFOX III
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING FINAL APPROACH FOR RUNWAY 23, THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED ABRUPTLY FROM APPROXIMATELY 12-14 FEET ABOVE THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD AND BOUNCED TWICE. FOLLOWING THE SECOND BOUNCE, THE PILOT APPLIED FULL POWER TO ATTEMPT A GO-AROUND. THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE RUNWAY EDGE, AND THE RIGHT WINGTIP STRUCK A PLOWED FIELD THAT WAS ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE CARTWHEELED. THE PILOT EXITED THE PLANE AND NOTED THAT THE WINDSOCK WAS INDICATING A 10-14 KNOT TAILWIND FOR RUNWAY 23. THE PILOT/BUILDER INDICATED THAT HE HAD NOT NOTICED THE WINDSOCK WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH. HE ALSO NOTED THAT THERE WAS NO MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRCRAFT.
On March 19, 1994, about 1515 eastern standard time, a home built airplane, Wente Kitfox III, N803BW, collided with the ground during an attempted aborted landing at the Berkeley County Airport, Moncks Corner, South Carolina. The airplane was operated by the owner/pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. Origination of the flight was the Dorchestor County Airport, Summerville, South Carolina, about 1430, on the same day. According to the pilot, during landing on runway 23, about 12-14 feet above touchdown, the airplane descended abruptly, landed hard, and bounced. After the bounce, the airplane touched down about 40 degrees off runway heading. The pilot stated that full power was applied to attempt a go-around, and the airplane overran the runway edge. During the attempted go-around, the right wing tip struck a plowed field that was adjacent to the runway, and the airplane cartwheeled. After exiting the airplane, the pilot noted that the wind sock was indicating a 10-14 knot tailwind for runway 23. The pilot stated that he did not notice the wind sock on final approach. The pilot, who is also a certified experimental aircraft builder, stated there was no malfunction of the airplane.
THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY RELATIVE TO THE WIND CONDITIONS AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY DURING THE BALKED LANDING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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