# NTSB ERA13CA235: Piper PA-28-140, N4518F, Jacksonville, NC, May 9, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 9, 2013, 16:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, NC
- Coordinates: 34.829166, -77.61222 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8292&lon=-77.6122&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: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 29, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 86856
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86856/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86856
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA235

## Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the go-around attempt, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with the ground.

## 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-28-140, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7102802), [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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102802), [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-28-140, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the solo student pilot, he returned to the traffic pattern following some airwork, and was practicing landings to a full stop. On final approach to runway 5, the airplane drifted to the left side of the runway. The left main landing gear touched down first, and the airplane pivoted to the left. The student attempted a full power go-around, and as he pulled back on the yoke during takeoff, the left wing stalled, and the nose gear struck the ground. The airplane spun around 180 degrees before coming to a stop, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and empennage. He reported that the wind was calm just before the landing. The student pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the solo student pilot, he returned to the traffic pattern following airwork, and was practicing landings to a full stop. On approach to runway 5, the airplane began to drift to the left side of the runway. The left main landing gear touched down first, and the airplane pivoted to the left. A full power go-around was attempted. As the student pilot pulled back on the yoke during takeoff, the left wing stalled and the nose gear struck the ground. The airplane spun around 180 degrees before coming to a stop, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and empennage. He reported that the wind was calm just prior to the landing. The student pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4518F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4518F-2013-08-23), registration cancelled 2013-08-23, S/N 28-7725019, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7725019
- Airframe hours: 3958
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Pittman Daniel W
- Registered owner: Pittman Daniel W
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2012, 28 hours before
- Departed: OAJ, Jacksonville, NC
- Destination: OAJ, Jacksonville, NC
- Airport: OAJ, Albert J Ellis Airport, runway 05, 7,100 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 38; injuries: none; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 23 total, 23 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: OAJ

## 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 20130509008389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130509008389A), May 9, 2013: Piper PA-28-140, Jacksonville, NC, Substantial damage. Student solo flight on 5/9/2013. PIC completed three takeoff and full stop landings. PIC made takeoff and chose to make a 180 degree turn and land on runway 5,…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 4, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86856. 1.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 907 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393569&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot's Written Statement (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393570&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Written%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Inspector's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393571&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1: Propeller and Engine Cowling (FAA Digital Photo) (item 4, .PDF, 156 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393572&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Propeller%20and%20Engine%20Cowling%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: Right Wing Damage (FAA Digital Photo) (item 5, .PDF, 155 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393573&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Right%20Wing%20Damage%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3: Empennage Damage (FAA Digital Photo) (item 6, .PDF, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393574&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Empennage%20Damage%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-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.

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