# NTSB ATL04IA132: Pilatus PC-12-45, N718JP, LaGrange, GA, June 30, 2004

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 2004, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: LaGrange, GA
- Coordinates: 33.530555, -85.072502
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5306&lon=-85.0725&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Atlanta FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 59667
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04IA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59667/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04IA132

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing flare.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aileron - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

According to the FAA check-airman, a simulated engine failure was given to the pilot by retarding the throttle.  When the pilot stated that they could not reach the airport, the FAA check-airman returned the engine RPM to the green power range. The pilot continued the approach, and during the landing flare to touchdown on runway 31, the left wing tip collided with the runway.  No flight control or mechanical anomalies were reported by the pilot. Examination of the right wing tip revealed scraping on the wing tip skin.

## Factual narrative

On June 30, 2004, at 1615 eastern daylight time, a Pilatus PC-12-45, N718JP, registered to Pezold Air Charters LLC and operated by Total Flight Systems Inc. wing tip collided with runway 31 during a landing at LaGrange-Callaway Airport, LaGrange, Georgia. The Part 135 flight-check was conducted under the provisions of  Title 14 Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial rated pilot-in-command (PIC) , the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) check-Airman, and the two passengers were not injured. The flight departed Newnan-Coweta County Airport in Newnan, Georgia, on June 30, 2004 at 1600.

According to the FAA check-airman, a simulated engine failure was given to the PIC by retarding the throttle.  When the PIC stated that they could not reach the airport, the FAA check-airman returned the engine RPM to the green power range. The PIC continued the approach, and during the landing flare to touchdown on runway 31, the left wheel touched down firmly on the runway followed by the right wheel.   As the airplane went through a series of lateral gyrations, the left wing tip collided with the runway.  No flight control or mechanical anomalies were reported by the pilot. Examination of the right wing tip revealed scraping on the wing tip skin.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N718JP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N718JP-2019-10-05), registration cancelled 2019-10-05, S/N 155 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Pilatus PC-12-45
- Registry model: [Pilatus PC-12/45](https://openairdocs.org/model/pilatus-pc-12-45) (registry code 7090551) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 155
- Airframe hours: 1800
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6 1200 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Total Flight Systems INC.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 12, 2003, 1,400 hours before
- Departed: CCO, Newnan-Coweta, GA
- Destination: LGC, LA GRANGE, GA
- Airport: LGC, Callaway, runway 31, 5,600 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 12, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 800 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: LGC

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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