# NTSB ATL98LA083: Piper PA-28-180, N55369, Destin, FL, June 13, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 13, 1998, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Destin, FL - Coordinates: 30.399423, -86.489898 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3994&lon=-86.4899&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor - Status: Completed, report September 28, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3999 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA083 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3999/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA083 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and her failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance during an attempted go-around. A factor was the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions. ## 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) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command - object - tree(s) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot stated that as she approached Destin for a full stop landing, she became aware of another aircraft that was involved in an accident earlier on runway 32 at Destin. The airplane was still on a portion of the runway. The pilot continued the approach to runway 14 and upon seeing the accident aircraft she became distracted and decided to go around after encountering a wind gust about 20 feet above the ground. The pilot applied full power and attempted a go-around. The pilot reported that as the airplane started to climb, it also drifted left of the runway centerline. The airplane continued to drift to the left until the airplane collided with trees near the runway. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane. The prevailing winds were 240 degrees at 13 knots, with gusts to 23 knots. ## Factual narrative On June 13, 1998, at 1330 Central Daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N55369, collided with trees, according to the pilot, during an attempted go-around at the Destin/Fort Walton Beach Airport in Destin, Florida. The personal flight, operated by the pilot, under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. A review of current weather data recovered from the nearest reporting facility disclosed that, visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aircraft sustained substantial airframe damage. The private rated pilot and two passengers received minor injuries; one passenger received serious injuries. The flight departed Tallahassee, Florida, at 1200. The pilot stated that as she approached Destin for a full stop landing, she became aware of another aircraft that was involved in an accident earlier on runway 32 at Destin. The airplane was still on a portion of the runway. The pilot continued the approach to runway 14 and upon seeing the accident aircraft she became distracted and decided to go around after encountering a wind gust about 20 feet above the ground. The pilot applied full power and attempted a go-around. The pilot reported that as the airplane started to climb, it also drifted left of the runway centerline. The airplane continued to drift to the left until the airplane collided with trees near the runway. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane. The prevailing winds were 240 degrees at 13 knots, with gusts to 23 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55369](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55369-2000-10-31), registration cancelled 2000-10-31, S/N 28-7305368 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7305368 - Airframe hours: 5694 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bobby Collison - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 28, 1997, 50 hours before - Departed: TLH, TALLAHASSEE, FL - Destination: DTS - Airport: DST, Destin/Ft Walton Beach, runway 32, 4,999 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 312 total, 305 in this make and model, 184 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 13 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DTS, 1 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 19980613023649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980613023649A), Jun 13, 1998: Piper PA28180, Destin, FL, Substantial damage. Accident ahead on runway. Began go around. Collided with trees on climbout.(.4)on June 13, 1998, at 1330 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N55369,… ## Other investigations on N55369 (2) 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. - [NTSB FTW96LA309](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA309), Jul 17, 1996: Piper PA-28-180 (N55369), Mountain Home, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the pilot to compensate for the tailwind and attain the proper touch down point. The tailwind was a related factor. - [NTSB NYC85LA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA091), Mar 26, 1985: Piper PA-28-180 (N55369), Clearfield, PA, substantial damage 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.