UTICA, NY, USA
N2423A
PIPER PA-38-112
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT UPON ARRIVING AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT HE CHECKED FOR A WINDSOCK, BUT HE DID NOT SEE ONE SO HE DECIDED TO USE RUNWAY 32 AS HE HAD USED RUNWAY 33 AT HIS LAST DEPARTURE AIRPORT, ABOUT 50 MILES AWAY. DURING THE LANDING HE NOTICED THAT HE WAS LANDING WITH A TAILWIND, AND HE WAS UNABLE TO SLOW THE AIRPLANE FOR THE LANDING SO HE DECIDED TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND. HE ATTEMPTED TO RETRACT 20 DEGREES OF FLAPS, BUT THE FLAP HANDLE WENT TO THE FULL UP (RETRACTED) POSITION. THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO SINK AND THE TREES WERE GETTING CLOSER SO HE STALLED THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION, AND THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF HE HAD 'BETTER PREPARATION OF PERFORMANCE ON A HOT HUMID DAY.'
On June 21, 1995, about 1800 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N2423A, crashed during an attempted go-around at Riverside Airport, Utica, New York. The private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91 and originated at Oswego County Airport, New York, approximately 1630. The pilot stated that as he approached the airport, he called the unicom frequency, but he does not recall if he was told what the wind was or which runway was the active one. He stated that he overflew the airport, and he did not see a windsock, so he decided to use runway 32 as he used runway 33 when he departed Oswego Airport about 50 miles away. The pilot reported that he decided midfield to execute a go-around as he was unable to slow the aircraft for the landing. He stated that he realized he was landing with a tailwind. During the go-around he stated that he added full power, and attempted to retract 20 degrees of flaps, but the flap lever went to the full up (retracted) position. He stated that the aircraft began to sink and the trees were getting closer so he stalled the airplane. The airplane impacted trees and descended to the ground. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction and the accident could have been prevented if he had "Better preparation of performance on a hot humid day."
The pilot's improper retraction of the flaps.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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