DESTIN, FL, USA
N55369
Piper PA-28-180
The pilot stated that as she approached Destin for a full stop landing, she became aware of another aircraft that was involved in an accident earlier on runway 32 at Destin. The airplane was still on a portion of the runway. The pilot continued the approach to runway 14 and upon seeing the accident aircraft she became distracted and decided to go around after encountering a wind gust about 20 feet above the ground. The pilot applied full power and attempted a go-around. The pilot reported that as the airplane started to climb, it also drifted left of the runway centerline. The airplane continued to drift to the left until the airplane collided with trees near the runway. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane. The prevailing winds were 240 degrees at 13 knots, with gusts to 23 knots.
On June 13, 1998, at 1330 Central Daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N55369, collided with trees, according to the pilot, during an attempted go-around at the Destin/Fort Walton Beach Airport in Destin, Florida. The personal flight, operated by the pilot, under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. A review of current weather data recovered from the nearest reporting facility disclosed that, visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aircraft sustained substantial airframe damage. The private rated pilot and two passengers received minor injuries; one passenger received serious injuries. The flight departed Tallahassee, Florida, at 1200. The pilot stated that as she approached Destin for a full stop landing, she became aware of another aircraft that was involved in an accident earlier on runway 32 at Destin. The airplane was still on a portion of the runway. The pilot continued the approach to runway 14 and upon seeing the accident aircraft she became distracted and decided to go around after encountering a wind gust about 20 feet above the ground. The pilot applied full power and attempted a go-around. The pilot reported that as the airplane started to climb, it also drifted left of the runway centerline. The airplane continued to drift to the left until the airplane collided with trees near the runway. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane. The prevailing winds were 240 degrees at 13 knots, with gusts to 23 knots.
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and her failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance during an attempted go-around. A factor was the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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