Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CHI98LA101

EDGELEY, ND, USA

Aircraft #1

N9882K

Piper PA-28R-201T

Analysis

The pilot was attempting to land the airplane on a road heading west. He reported the winds to be 320 degrees at 14 knots. He said that when he realized the crosswind was excessive he had allowed the airplane to slow to a point that when the go-around was initiated, the airplane departed controlled flight and impacted the terrain.

Factual Information

On March 8, 1998, at 1200 central standard time, a Piper PA-28R-201T, N9882K, operated by a private pilot was substantially damaged on impact with the terrain during a go around following a landing attempt on Highway 34, six miles north and one mile east of Edgeley, North Dakota. The pilot said that the wind was from 320 degrees at 14 knots while he was landing to the west on the east/west public road near his parents residence. The pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Jamestown, North Dakota, at 1145. The pilot stated in his written statement that he made one pass over the road to the east to check the "surface conditions." He said that he then turned around and attempted a landing to the west. He said that he realized that the crosswind condition was too great for a safe landing, but he allowed the airplane to slow to the extent that when he attempted a go around, the airplane departed controlled flight and impacted the terrain. The nearest reporting station to the accident was about 30 miles to the north. That station reported wind conditions 12 minutes prior to the accident to be 340 degrees at 15 knots.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision making which resulted in a delayed go-around and his not maintaining aircraft control. A factor was the crosswind.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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