# NTSB ATL90LA114: Piper PA-28, N5290W, Jacksonville, NC, May 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1990, 17:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, NC
- Coordinates: 34.759151, -77.399444 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7592&lon=-77.3994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8240
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8240/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA114

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO LAND DOWNWIND AND HIS DELAY IN EXECUTING A GO-AROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - wire,static
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING LANDING, FOLLOWING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THERE WERE THUNDERSTORMS IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRSTRIP. NO RAIN WAS FALLING AT THE AIRSTRIP BUT, THERE WAS A TAILWIND OF 8 TO 10 KTS WITH GUSTS TO 15. JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN THE DESCENT INCREASED & THE AIRPLANE 'PITCHED FORWARD.' POWER WAS INCREASED TO SLOW THE DESCENT THEN REDUCED TO LAND. AT TOUCHDOWN THE PILOT NOTED HE COULD NOT STOP ON THE RUNWAY AND THE LANDING WAS ABORTED. DURING THE GO-AROUND HE AIRPLANE WENT UNDER A MARKED WIRE & HIT AN UNMARKED STATIC WIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5290W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5290W), registered now, S/N 28-341, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28) (registry code 7102801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-341
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David L. & Cathy Leftwich
- Departed: W83, ASHLAND, VA
- Airport: N17, Jacksonville, runway 27, 2,800 × 180 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,900 total, 350 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900520062969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900520062969A), May 20, 1990: Piper PA28*, Jacksonville, NC, Substantial damage. Trying to land downwind on grass strip. Noted need to go around. Damaged aircraft going under wires. Landed safely.

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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