ATL95LA125

The aircraft was on a normal final approach path until it cleared the trees that preceded the 3100 foot grass strip. The aircraft then began to sink rapidly and the flight instructor called for a go-around. The flight instructor stated that despite full power, the aircraft would not climb or maintain level flight. He further stated that there may have been convective activity in the area, and that they had encountered a wind shear. The aircraft made a hard landing, and the main landing gear assembly collapsed upon impact.

On July 2, 1995, about 1355 eastern daylight time, a Luscombe 8A/E, N2853K, gear assembly collapsed during an attempted landing on runway 34 at Peach State Airport, in Williamson, Georgia. The instructional flight was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual Meteorological Conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage; the certified flight instructor and student pilot were not injured.

According to the certified flight instructor's first report, the student pilot was flying the airplane, and the aircraft was in normal position while on the base leg. As they turned onto final, the aircraft was slightly below the ideal glide slope, with a nose high pitch attitude. When the aircraft reached short final, the instructor called for a go-around. The student pilot applied full power, but pitch control was not maintained. The instructor stated that the aircraft stalled suddenly and collided with the runway. Upon impact, the landing gear collapsed.

In a second report,"amended report", the certified flight instructor stated that the aircraft was on a normal approach path until crossing the trees that preceded the 3100 foot grass strip. As the aircraft cleared the trees, it sank rapidly. The instructor called for a go-around. The student pilot then added full power to initiate a go-around approximately 50 feet above the runway. Despite full power, the aircraft was unable to climb or maintain level flight. The aircraft landed hard on the runway, and the gear assembly collapsed. The aircraft skidded approximately 30-40 yards before it came to a stop on the runway. The instructor further stated that the aircraft encountered a wind shear after passing the tree line. He concluded that this could have been caused by convective activity in the area at the time of the accident.

According to the weather observation facility on Atlanta International Airport, 30 miles north of Peach State Airport, at 1350 eastern daylight time, the winds were observed as being from 310 degrees at 6 knots.