Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary MIA00LA198

OCRACOKE, NC, USA

Aircraft #1

N5381L

Piper PA-28-180

Analysis

The pilot stated that the aircraft arrived over the runway threshold at about 50 feet and she reduced engine power. She then added engine power but did not hold enough rudder to compensate for the power. The aircraft drifted to the left. She then elected to perform a go-around. When she applied full engine power, the aircraft drifted further to the left. The left wing contacted bushes off the left side of the runway and the aircraft spun around and came to rest in the bushes.

Factual Information

On July 3, 2000, about 1130 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N5381L, registered to an individual, crashed during a go-around at Ocracoke Island Airport, Ocracoke, North Carolina, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot and 3 passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Manteo, North Carolina, the same day, about 1030. The pilot stated that as she approached to land on runway 24 at Ocracoke Island Airport, she was following another aircraft. On final approach, her aircraft was at 50 feet over the runway threshold and she reduced engine power. She then added engine power and the aircraft drifted to the left because she did not hold enough right rudder to compensate for the engine power. About 1/3 of the way down the runway, she applied full engine power and elected to make a go-around. She did not hold enough right rudder control and the aircraft drifted to the left as it began to climb. The left wing contacted bushes off the left side of the runway and the aircraft spun around to the left and crashed to the ground. The aircraft came to rest off the left side of the runway, about halfway down the runway.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to compensate with rudder control for engine torque and 'p' factor during a go-around resulting in the aircraft drifting to the left, colliding with brush, and spinning around coming to rest in the brush.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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