- Date
- November 13, 1993, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place
- Greentown, PA
- Injuries
- 2 serious
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Landing
- Aircraft
- N7667FPiper PA-28-151
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report October 20, 1994
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19931113042739A
- Case key
- 8866
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's selection of the wrong runway, and his delay in attempting a go-around which resulted in an inflight collision with the trees. A related factor was the unfavorable wind.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot reported that he circled the airport once in order to obtain the runway and landing conditions. He stated that his first attempt to land on runway 29 was unsuccessful due to turbulent and gusty conditions, so he executed a go-around. The pilot performed a second approach, which ended in another go- around. On his second go-around attempt, the airplane struck trees at the departure end of the runway. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction. A witness reported that there was a quartering tailwind gusting to 25 knots and that the winds at that time were favoring runway 11.
Factual narrative
On Saturday, November 13, 1993, at 0915 eastern standard time, N7667F, a Piper PA-28-151, operated by South Jersey Flyers of Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania, and piloted by Donald Powell of Morristown, New Jersey, collided with trees during a go-around at Mountain Bay Airport, Greentown, Pennsylvania. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The certificated private pilot and his passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was destroyed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91, and originated in Mount Holly, New Jersey.
According to the pilot, he circled the airport to observe the runway and landing conditions. He stated that his first attempt to land on runway 29 was unsuccessful due to turbulent and gusty conditions, so he executed a go-around. He said he attempted another approach which ended in another go-around. He stated that on his second go-around attempt the airplane collided with trees at the departure end of runway 29.
A witness who had flown into the airport stated that there was a quartering tailwind gusting to 25 knots and the winds were favoring runway 11 for landing. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N7667F
- Reported as
- Piper PA-28-151
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 28-7715231
- Airframe hours
- 3,992
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-E3D, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- South Jersey Flyers
- Registered owner
- K & R Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · August 2, 1993 · 63 hours before
- Departed
- 7MY · Mount Holly, NJ
- Destination
- PA49 · Hawley, PA
- Airport
- PA49 · Mountain Bay, runway 29, 2,230 × 50 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 45
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 290 total · 8 in this make and model · 230 as pilot in command · 8 in the last 90 days · 8 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 120° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility
- 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 43 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.