# NTSB MIA08LA004: Piper PA-28-160, N5235W, Hillsville, VA, October 10, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 2007, 10:44 local (14:44 UTC)
- Place: Hillsville, VA
- Coordinates: 36.759723, -80.820556
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7597&lon=-80.8206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/ FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66861
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66861/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08LA004

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a go-around.

## 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)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

According to the brother of the pilot, he was watching the pilot land, and he saw the airplane veer off the right side of the runway. The engine power increased and the airplane began to climb; however, the airplane flew into an embankment and collided with trees. The pilot's brother further stated that the pilot told him he had lost control of the airplane during landing, and that he had attempted a go-around. Additionally, the pilot told him that there were no problems with the airplane; he just "lost control of it."

## Factual narrative

On October 10, 2007, at 1044 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-160, N5235W, lost control during the landing roll at Twin County Airport, Hillsville, Virginia. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot and two passengers were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight departed from Dr. C P Savage Sr. Airport, Montezuma, Georgia, about 0730.

The pilot's brother stated that he was watching the pilot land, when he felt a strong crosswind, and saw the airplane veer off the right side of the runway. Shortly thereafter, he heard the engine power up, and saw the airplane begin to climb. The airplane flew into an embankment and collided with trees. The pilot's brother said that after the accident, the pilot told him that he had lost control of the airplane during landing, and that he had attempted a go-around. The pilot also told him that there were no problems with the airplane, "he just lost control of it." The pilot did not provide the National Transportation Safety Board with a 6120.1 accident/incident form with the required 10 days after the accident in accordance with Title 49, Chapter VIII, subpart 830.15.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot attempted to land on runway 19, a 4,204-foot-long, 75-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The reported wind at the airport, about the time of the accident, was from 290 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 22 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5235W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5235W-2008-06-09), registration cancelled 2008-06-09, S/N 28-275, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-275
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 53A, MONTEZUMA, GA
- Destination: HLX, Hillsville, VA
- Airport: HLX, Twin County, runway 19, 4,204 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 90 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observed at: HLX

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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