Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary GAA17CA183

Hendersonville, NC, USA

Aircraft #1

N24188

JOHNSON JERRY WAG AERO/SPT TRAINER

Analysis

The pilot reported that he attempted to land on his private airstrip but that he "landed long" due to "gusty crosswind conditions." Upon touchdown, a wind gust lifted the right wing, which resulted in the right wheel lifting off the ground. He added that he then performed a go-around, and that, due to the "high angle of attack" while attempting to clear trees and power lines, he did not have visibility out of his front windscreen. Subsequently, the airplane struck a tree and two power lines. The airplane descended, impacted the ground, and was consumed by a fire started by the severed power lines. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located about 7 nautical miles from the accident site, about the time of the accident, reported wind from 190° at 14 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The pilot landed to the southwest.

Factual Information

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot reported that he attempted to land on his private airstrip, but "landed long" due to "gusty crosswind conditions". Upon touchdown, a gust of wind lifted the right wing, which resulted in the right wheel lifting off the ground. He then performed a go-around, and reported that due to the "high angle of attack" while attempting to clear trees and power lines, he did not have visibility out of his front windscreen. Subsequently, the airplane struck a tree and two power lines. The airplane descended impacting the ground, and was consumed by a fire started by the severed powerlines. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage and empennage. The FAA inspector reported that the pilot stated there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 7 nautical miles from the accident site, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 190° at 14 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The pilot landed to the southwest.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s unstabilized approach and failure to attain the proper touchdown point while attempting to land in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in an attempted go-around and collision with trees and power lines.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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