CHARLESTON, WV, USA
N47282
Taylorcraft DCO-65
The pilot departed on a local personal flight and returned for landing. During the approach, the pilot performed a left slip to accelerate the descent and align with the runway. The airplane touched down with sideward movement and the left wingtip struck the ground. The airplane pulled to the left, and the pilot corrected with an application of right rudder. The airplane departed the right side of the runway and collided with a hangar.
On June 21, 1997, at 0700 eastern daylight time, a Taylorcraft DCO-65, N47282, was substantially damaged during landing at the Mallory Airport (WV12), Charleston, West Virginia. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at WV12, about 0650. No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot reported: "I was approaching to land at Mallory Airport over Rock Lake. I slipped to the left to [lose] altitude and get on the center line. The aircraft touched down while still moving sideways and touched the left wing tip on the ground. This pulled the aircraft to the left and I applied right rudder to correct. The aircraft then left the runway to the right and impacted a half-built hanger." The weather reported at Charleston International Airport, 7 miles east of WV12, was calm wind and clear sky above some ground fog with 5 miles visibility. In a written statement, the pilot reported there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.
the pilot's inadequate compensation for unfavorable (variable) wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. The wind condition and proximity of a hangar were related factors.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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