Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ATL93LA138

JONESVILLE, NC, USA

Aircraft #1

N3WX

MOLINO OY PIK-20

Analysis

THE PILOT, UPON REALIZING THAT HE HAD SET UP TOO HIGH ON FINAL APPROACH, RETRACTED LANDING GEAR AND FLAPS AND ATTEMPTED A GO- AROUND. THE GLIDER STALLED AND BEGAN TO SPIN. THE GLIDER CRASHED IN A NOSE LOW, LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE AND THEN ROLLED ONTO ITS BACK IN A CORNFIELD APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE SOUTH OF THE LANDING STRIP. IT WAS REPORTED IN THE PILOT/ OPERATOR REPORT THAT THERE WAS NO STALL WARNING SYSTEM INSTALLED IN THE AIRPLANE.

Factual Information

On August 1, 1993, at 1615 eastern daylight time, a Molino OY PIK-20, N3WX was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain during an attempted go around at Swan Creek Airport near Jonesville, North Carolina. The glider-only rated private pilot was not injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the local, personal flight. The pilot reported that he was high on his final approach for landing and attempted a go-around. He stated that when he retracted the landing gear and flaps, the aircraft stalled and spiraled into the terrain about 1/4 mile from the runway. The glider impacted on its left wing tip in a nose-low attitude and came to rest inverted in a cornfield.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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