# NTSB ATL89LA218: Piper PA-22-160, N9400D, China Grove, NC, September 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1989, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: China Grove, NC
- Coordinates: 35.569839, -80.580352 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5698&lon=-80.5804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8070
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8070/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA218

## Probable cause

PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL DURING THE FINAL APPROACH IN THAT HE FAILED TO ESTABLISH A PROPER GLIDEPATH. THE AIRPLANE LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. DURING THE ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND HIS IMPROPER USE OF RUDDER AND AILERON, FOLLOWING THE APPLICATION OF FULL POWER, RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH TREES TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - proper glidepath - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - aileron - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING INITIAL CLIMB, FOLLOWING AN ABORTED LANDING. THE PLT REPORTED THE FOLLOWING: THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A 'WIND SHIFT' DURING FINAL APPROACH, AS IT CAME OVER AN OPEN FIELD AFTER CROSSING TREES. THE AIRPLANE THEN DROPPED 'REAL FAST', HIT THE GROUND A FEW FEET SHORT OF THE RWY, AND BOUNCED BACK INTO THE AIR. FULL POWER WAS APPLIED, AND AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO GO AROUND; THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND COLLIDED WITH TREES ADJACENT TO THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9400D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9400D-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 22-6372, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-6372
- Airframe hours: 11
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brown, Homer E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 5A1, MARION, VA
- Airport: Brown, runway 9, 1,300 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSO, 39 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 19890924035789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890924035789A), Sep 24, 1989: Piper PA22160, China Grove, NC, Substantial damage. Landed short of runway. Bounced,began go around,full flaps veered left and struck trees. Blamed wind shift.

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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