# NTSB CHI02LA014: Piper PA-28-180, N4879L, Fort Wayne, IN, October 28, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 28, 2001, 12:56 local (17:56 UTC) - Place: Fort Wayne, IN - Coordinates: 41.150341, -85.12928 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1503&lon=-85.1293&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report June 4, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-South Bend, Indiana - FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53702 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53702/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA014 ## Probable cause The pilot not maintaining control of the airplane during an attempted go-around. A factor was the trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - go-around - attempted, pilot in command - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) ## Analysis The airplane was destroyed when it impacted trees while attempting a go-around. The pilot reported that while on short final for landing, a gust of wind blew the airplane off the runway centerline. He said that he, "...immediately executed a go-around in which the plane banked sharply right, which [he] could not counter...." In a separate report, the pilot said that he was landing on runway 23 when the airplane banked sharply to the right. He said that he, "...attempted a go-around while trying to level the wings with no avail and crashed into trees north-east of the airport." The pilot listed no mechanical malfunction in his reports of the accident. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that could be associated with a pre-impact condition. A weather report for a recording station located about 10 nautical miles south of the accident site listed the wind at 1254 as 240 degrees magnetic at 11 knots. No wind gusts were recorded for that report. ## Factual narrative On October 28, 2001, at 1256 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N4879L, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed on impact with trees and terrain while attempting a go-around from runway 23 (3,110 feet by 100 feet, asphalt) at the Smith Field Airport, Fort Wayne, Indiana. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and was on a visual flight rules flight plan. The pilot and passenger received serious injuries. The flight originated from the Delaware County-Johnson Field Airport, Muncie, Indiana about 1200. In a written report, the pilot said that while on short final for landing, a gust of wind blew the airplane off the runway centerline. He said that he, "...immediately executed a go-around in which the plane banked sharply right, which [he] could not counter...." In a separate report, the pilot said that he was landing on runway 23 when the airplane banked sharply to the right. He said that he, "...attempted a go-around while trying to level the wings with no avail and crashed into trees north-east of the airport." The pilot listed no mechanical malfunction in his reports of the accident. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that could be associated with a pre-impact condition. A weather report for a recording station located about 10 nautical miles south of the accident site listed the wind at 1254 as 240 degrees magnetic at 11 knots. No wind gusts were recorded for that report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4879L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4879L-2013-04-18), registration cancelled 2013-04-18, S/N 28-4245, built 1967 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-4245 - Airframe hours: 4402 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: 65R Club, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 2001 - Departed: MIE, MUNCIE, IN - Destination: SMD, Fort Wayne, IN - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: SMD, Smith Field, runway 23, 3,110 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 5, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 121 total, 9 in this make and model, 79 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.50 inHg - Observed at: FWA, 10 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 20011028036869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011028036869A), Oct 28, 2001: Piper PA28180, Fort Wayne, IN, No damage. (.19) On October 28, 2001, at 1256 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N4879L, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed on impact with trees and terrain… 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.