# NTSB ATL97LA071: Piper PA-23-250, N520SM, Jacksonville, FL, May 8, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 8, 1997, 09:51 local (13:51 UTC) - Place: Jacksonville, FL - Coordinates: 30.349624, -81.640792 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3496&lon=-81.6408&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3847 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3847/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA071 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while on a low pass, leading to propeller damage. A factor was birds in the area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - low pass - attempted, pilot in command (cause) - object - bird(s) (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, go-around (vfr) - propeller system/accessories,blade - bent (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was on a test flight to check the operation of his landing gear. He attempted to make a low approach over the grass strip between the runway and the maintenance building on the airport. As he flew over the grass strip, a flock of egrets flew up ahead of the airplane. As he attempted to avoid the birds, he struck the ground. After becoming airborne briefly, the airplane made an emergency landing, due to propeller damage, in the runway overrun area on the east side of the airport property. ## Factual narrative On May 8, 1997, about 0951 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-23-250, N520SM, collided with the ground during maneuvering flight at the Herlong Airport, Jacksonville, Florida. The airplane was operated by the pilot/owner under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airline transport pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was at 0940 from Herlong Airport. According to the pilot, he was on a test flight to check the operation of his landing gear. The landing gear had been fixed the day before, after failing to retract completely. The pilot attempted to make a low pass over a grass strip between the runway and the maintenance building, so maintenance personnel could observe the landing gear doors. As he passed the building, a flock of egrets flew up into the aircraft. While attempting to avoid the birds, the pilot stated he struck a small hill. He then attempted a go around, but he was unable to maintain power due to propeller damage. The pilot then stated he decided to land gear-up in the overrun area straight ahead of him. Witnesses at the scene confirm that the pilot was making a low approach to check the operation of his landing gear. They stated a bird appeared to fly up in front of the airplane. The airplane then "dipped and impacted the ground". The airplane then "pulled back up". It impacted the ground a second time on the east end of the airport ground. According to the FAA inspector, the airplane was making a low approach to Herlong Airport when the pilot maneuvered the airplane to avoid a bird and collided with the ground. He stated the airplane became airborne again, but was not performing properly. The airplane impacted the ground again approximately 1 mile to the east of the airport, just short of the tree line. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N520SM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N520SM-2000-08-03), registration cancelled 2000-08-03, S/N 27-7405449 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-23-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 27-7405449 - Airframe hours: 3321 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenneth R. Oddy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1996, 25 hours before - Departed: 23J - Airport: 23J, Herlong Airport, runway 7, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 20,000 total, 250 in this make and model, 18,000 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: JAX, 20 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 19970508009699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970508009699A), May 8, 1997: Piper PA23250, Jacksonville, FL, Substantial damage. Low pass to check gear doors. Hit hill avoiding egrets. Bent prop. Landed gear up off end rwy. (-23) the pilot requested a low pass over the non-controlled… 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.