# NTSB ATL98LA074: Piper PA-30, N7312Y, Hendersonville, NC, May 8, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 8, 1998, 10:08 local (14:08 UTC) - Place: Hendersonville, NC - Coordinates: 35.259571, -82.54943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2596&lon=-82.5494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3992 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3992/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA074 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point and improper go-around procedures resulting in collision with wires, trees, and the ground. Factors were the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane and the short runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - wire,transmission - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - gear retraction - not selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - short runway/landing area (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot reported he landed beyond the first third of the 3,075 foot runway which was NOTAMed. He stated the brakes seemed ineffective, and a go around was initiated. The pilot stated he applied full power, raised flaps, and lifted off just before the end of the runway. He stated he then made a left bank to avoid trees ahead. During the left bank, the left wing struck a power line, trees, and the ground. The investigation revealed the airplane's landing gear was extended. In this airplane, a normal go-around is accomplished by adding full power, raising the flaps, and raising the landing gear. The pilot had 24 hours of flight time in this airplane. The investigation also revealed the right brake was impact damaged, and the left brake was intact and showed ample pad available. When the cockpit brake peddle was pushed, the pad operated at the left wheel. A witness reported he heard tires skidding several times. He looked out and noticed an airplane near the end of the runway. He heard the engine power increase with approximately 500-600 feet remaining, and the airplane rotated with about 75 feet remaining in the runway. As trees beyond the runway were approached, the pilot turned left, clipped a wire with the left wing, then collided with the ground. The witness stated the landing gear remained down. The landing distance over a 50 foot obstacle with the accident conditions is 2040 feet. Without an obstacle, the airplane can land in 690 feet. ## Factual narrative On May 8, 1998, about 1008 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-30, N7312Y, collided with wires, trees, and the ground during an attempted go around at the Hendersonville Airport, Hendersonville, North Carolina. The airplane was operated by the owner/pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. There were minor injuries to the private pilot and his pilot rated passenger, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated in Florida, at an undetermined time, followed by a stop at Augusta, Georgia at 0930, prior to proceeding to the destination, Hendersonville. The pilot reported he landed beyond the first third of the 3,075 foot runway 14, which was NOTAMed because of a rough surface during the first 200 feet of the runway. He stated he had landed at the airport previously and was familiar with the runway condition. He stated the brakes seemed ineffective, and a go around was initiated. The pilot stated he applied full power, raised flaps, and lifted off just before the end of the runway. He stated he then made a left bank to avoid trees and houses ahead. During the left bank, the left wing clipped a power line, hit small trees, and came to rest upright in a field. The pilot reported no problems with the engines. The FAA inspector stated that the airplane came to rest approximately 1/4 mile due east of the airport. The landing gear was found in the extended position. The FAA inspector stated that in this airplane, a normal go-around is accomplished by adding full power, raising the flaps, and raising the landing gear. The FAA inspector stated the pilot had received his multiengine rating on May 1, 1998, and had approximately 24 hours of flight time in the airplane. According to the FAA inspector, he examined the brakes and noted the right main wheel was severed off the strut. The left wheel was still intact. The brake pads were intact and showed ample pad available. When the cockpit brake peddle was pushed, the pad operated at the left wheel. According to the FAA, the pilot stated he touched down 1/3 of the way down the runway and decided to go around 1/2 way down the runway because the brakes were not stopping the airplane. The pilot stated he pulled the airplane into the air to avoid the end of the runway, and the airspeed was minimal. The pilot stated he did not have time to raise the gear. According to the FAA, the pilot stated the elevation, temperature, and short field contributed to the crash. A witness reported that his attention was drawn to the airplane when he heard the tires skidding several times. He looked out and noticed the airplane near the end of the runway. He heard the engine power increase with approximately 500-600 feet remaining, and the airplane rotated with about 75 feet remaining in the runway. The airplane passed very low over the road at the end of the runway. As trees beyond the runway were approached, the pilot turned left, clipped a wire with the left wing, then collided with the ground. The witness also stated the flap position was not noted, but the landing gear remained down. Another witness stated he heard tires skidding at the airport. The Air Traffic Controllers both stated that they terminated radar service with N7312Y 12 miles south of Hendersonville Airport. At that time, they gave the pilot a VFR transponder code, 1200, and approved a frequency change. The landing distance over a 50 foot obstacle, using a normal approach, with the weather conditions at the time of the accident is 2040 feet. Without an obstacle, the airplane can land in 690 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7312Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7312Y-2001-07-11), registration cancelled 2001-07-11, S/N 30-355 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-30 - Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30-355 - Airframe hours: 1800 - Engines: Lycoming IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Paul A. Lee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: AGS, AUGUSTA, GA - Destination: OA7 - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: OA7, Hendersonville Airport, runway 14, 3,075 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,911 total, 25 in this make and model, 1,797 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 3 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AVL, 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 19980508008589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980508008589A), May 8, 1998: Piper PA30, Hendersonville, NC, Substantial damage. Landed long and fast. Began go around at end runway. Hit wires on climbout. Failed retract gear on climbout. (.4)the pilot reported he landed beyond the first… 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.