# NTSB ERA09CA395: Piper PA-28-235, N8658W, Rutherford, NC, July 11, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 11, 2009, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Rutherford, NC - Coordinates: 35.428054, -81.935279 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4281&lon=-81.9353&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74249 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA395 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74249/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74249 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA395 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while performing a go-around which resulted in a stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis A certified flight instructor and his student flew a short cross country flight. At the destination airport, the pilots practiced five landings, and then the flight instructor exited the aircraft so the student could practice touch-and-go landings. On the third touch and go, the student pilot was too far left of the runway and initiated a go around, during which the airplane "stalled." During the subsequent uncontrolled descent, the airplane clipped trees and impacted a ravine upside down, breaking off the right wing. The pilots stated that there was a 5 knot wind from the right but thought it was not a factor. They also stated there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane prior to the accident. Both pilots were contacted numerous times and neither submitted a National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 as required. ## Factual narrative A certified flight instructor and his student flew a short cross country flight. At the destination airport, the pilots practiced five landings, and then the flight instructor exited the aircraft so the student could practice touch and go's. On the third touch and go, the student pilot was too far left of the runway and initiated a go around, during which the airplane "stalled." During the subsequent uncontrolled descent, the airplane clipped trees and impacted a ravine upside down, breaking off the right wing. The pilots stated that there was a 5 knot wind from the right but thought it was not a factor. They also stated there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane prior to the accident. Both pilots were contacted numerous times and neither submitted a National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 as required. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8658W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8658W-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 28-10183, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-10183 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FQD, Rutherford, NC - Destination: FQD, Rutherford, NC - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: FQD, Rutherford County Airport, runway 19, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 42; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 31 total, 11 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: FQD ## 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 20090711010439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090711010439A), Jul 11, 2009: Piper PA28235, Rutherfordton, NC, Destroyed. (-23)Received a call from the atl com center (1340 local) stating that he was going to patch me through to a [privacy data omitted] and there had been an… ## Other investigations on N8658W (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 CHI69D0204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI69D0204), Jul 16, 1968: Piper PA-28 (N8658W), Tiffin, OH, substantial damage - [NTSB MIA66F0133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA66F0133), Jun 11, 1965: Piper PA-28 (N8658W), Ooltewah, TN, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 18, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74249. 1.0 MB in all. - FAA Statement (item 1, .PDF, 76 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317610&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - KFQD Weather (item 2, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317611&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=KFQD%20Weather-Master.PDF - Accident Photographs (item 3, .PDF, 909 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317616&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-Master.PDF 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.