# NTSB ATL97LA096: Piper PA-28-140, N5807U, Spruce Pine, NC, July 5, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 5, 1997, 09:48 local (13:48 UTC) - Place: Spruce Pine, NC - Coordinates: 35.909091, -82.0597 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9091&lon=-82.0597&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3867 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA096 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3867/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA096 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance after turning the wrong way in a traffic pattern. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, climb - object - tree(s) (cause) - airport operations - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - information insufficient, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The airplane departed runway 16, with a slight tailwind, and made a climbing left turn. About three minutes later, the airplane struck the trees on the side of a mountain, and began burning. The published procedure in the Airport Facility Directory (AFD) for departing this airport states right turning traffic patterns are recommended, due to the mountainous terrain. When queried about this fact, the pilot stated he was unable to find Avery County-Morrison Field in an AFD, and saw no signs indicating the direction of the traffic pattern. The pilot stated he looked in the AFD under both Avery County and Morrison Field. The airport is listed under Spruce Pine. The airport facility has since placed signs throughout the main building and on the runways. ## Factual narrative On July 5, 1997, at 0948 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N5807U, collided with trees and the ground after departing from Avery County-Morrison Field, Spruce Pine, North Carolina. The airplane was operated by the pilot, on a personal flight, under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. The prevailing weather was visual meteorological conditions and no flight plan was filed. The airplane incurred substantial damage. The private pilot and his passenger were seriously injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident, and it was destined for Fredericksburg, Virginia. The pilot stated that he had done a thorough pre-flight that morning. He had called the local flight service station twice before he departed. According to the pilot, early in the morning, there was fog in the area, so he decided to delay his departure until the fog burned off. When it did, the pilot called for another weather briefing, and advised the controller he would file a visual flight rules flight plan once he was airborne. He also stated he attempted to find the airport in the Airport Facility Directory under Avery County and Morrison Field, but was unable to locate the airport. The airport is listed under Spruce Pine. Upon arriving at the airport, the pilot stated he talked to a number of people in the airport lounge. They discussed his experience, destination, flight plan, and the weather. Although the wind was favoring runway 34, the local pilot informed him that "everyone takes off runway 16". After departing runway 16, with a slight tailwind, the pilot stated the airplane was not climbing very well. He turned his crosswind leg between to ridges, and "knew he was in trouble". At this point, he stated he was afraid to turn because he might lose altitude and airspeed. So, he continued straight ahead. About 45 to 50 feet from the top of the peak, the airplane "bellied" into the trees. It settled into the trees, and landed with the nose pointed into the ground. A fire erupted from the engine, so the pilot evacuated himself and his passenger. A witness observed the pilot depart from runway 16, and make a left climbing turn. After about three minutes, "MAYDAY, MAYDAY" was heard over the radio, followed by smoke coming from the trees. The terrain around the airport was mountainous. There were ridges to all sides of the runway, but two peaks were significantly closer than others. Within a 1000 foot area around the runway, there were two peaks with elevations higher than the runway elevation. One was to the left side of the departure end of runway 16, and the other was directly ahead of the departure end of 34. Both peaks were about 60 feet higher than the runway, and 1000 feet away. To the right side of the departure end of runway 16, the terrain was approximately 70 feet lower than the runway elevation. For this reason, the Airport Facility Directory (AFD), recommended right turning traffic patterns when departing from runway 16. Unless the AFD states otherwise, the standard traffic pattern has left turns. The pilot stated he had approximately 15 to 20 hours of cross-country time in mountainous terrain. He had never flown to Avery County-Morrison Field before. At the time this accident occurred, the Avery County-Morrison Airport did not have any placards in the facility or signs on the runway stating that right hand traffic was recommended. Since this accident occurred, the airport has placed a number of signs throughout the facility that indicate the right turning traffic pattern. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5807U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5807U-1997-10-23), registration cancelled 1997-10-23, S/N 28-26636 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-26636 - Airframe hours: 3230 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David R. Clontz - Registered owner: Timothy Harrell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 11, 1996, 94 hours before - Destination: EZF, FREDERICKSBURG, VA - Airport: 7A8, Avery County-Morrison, runway 16, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 120 total, 10 in this make and model, 55 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HKY ## 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 19970705016959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970705016959A), Jul 5, 1997: Piper PA28140, Spruce Pine, NC, Destroyed. Downwind takeoff due mountains in area. Turned wrong way. Settled into trees on rising terrain. Density alt factor. (-23) Avery county airport (7A8) also known… 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.