# NTSB ATL04LA059: Socata TB21, N1879S, Spruce Pine, NC, December 27, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 27, 2003, 11:05 local (16:05 UTC) - Place: Spruce Pine, NC - Coordinates: 35.944442, -81.995552 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9444&lon=-81.9956&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Charlotte FSDO-33 - NTSB case key (mKey): 58546 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04LA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58546/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA059 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate flare, and his failure to maintain directional control. The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and trees are a contributing factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment - On ground/water collision with object, landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated he entered left traffic for runway 34, and he noticed a reduction in airspeed as the airplane crossed over a hill. He increased power and the airplane developed an excessive sink rate. The pilot added power; the airplane touched down on the runway, and bounced back into the air. The airplane touched down again and went off the left side of the runway, down an embankment, and the left wing collided with a tree. Witnesses located on the airport who observed the accident stated the winds were one to three knots. Another witness located adjacent to the airport stated the winds were calm. The pilot stated he did not encounter any mechanical problems. ## Factual narrative On December 27, 2003, at 1105 eastern standard time, a Socata TB21, N1879S, registered to and operated by Willis Aviation Resources LLC, as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, veered off the left side of the runway during an attempted landing, went down an embankment, and collided with a tree at Avery County/Morrison Field, Spruce Pine, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual rules flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and four passengers reported no injuries. The flight originated from Gallatin, Tennessee, on December 27, 2003, at 0845 central standard time. The pilot stated he entered left traffic for runway 34, and while on final approach to land he noticed a reduction in airspeed as the airplane crossed over a hill. He increased power and the airplane developed an excessive sink rate. When the pilot added more power to stop the sink rate, the airplane touched down on the runway, and bounced back into the air. The airplane touched down again and went off the left side of the runway, down an embankment, and the left wing collided with a tree. The pilot stated he did not encounter any mechanical problems with the airplane. Witnesses who observed the accident stated the winds were one to three knots. Another witness stated the winds were calm. The Hickory Regional Airport located 31 miles southeast of the airport winds was calm with no reported wind shear. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1879S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1879S-2004-08-28), registration cancelled 2004-08-28, S/N 1879, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SOCATA TB21 - Registry model: [Socata TB21](https://openairdocs.org/model/socata-tb21) (registry code 8680697) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1879 - Engines: Avco Lycoming TIO-540-AB1AD 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Willis Aviation Resources LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 2003, 40 hours before - Departed: M33, Gallatin, TN - Destination: 7A8, Spruce Pine, NC - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 7A8, Avery County Airport, runway 34, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 7, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 924 total, 590 in this make and model, 824 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: HKY, 31 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20031227037729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031227037729A), Dec 27, 2003: Socata TB21, Spruce Pine, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) On December 27, 2003 an aircraft accident occurred at Avery county airport in Spruce Pine, north carolina, the following is an account of this… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.