# NTSB NYC01LA173: Piper PA28-140, N38390, Schuyler, NY, July 14, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 14, 2001, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Schuyler, NY - Coordinates: 43.029354, -75.070503 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0294&lon=-75.0705&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 4, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 52707 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC01LA173 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52707/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA173 ## Probable cause The pilot's delayed go-around, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. A factor in this accident was the crosswind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The airplane was on approach to runway 10, an asphalt runway, that was about 2,400 feet long, and 30 feet wide. The pilot reported he experienced a "wind gust" while on final approach, which pushed the airplane to the left. The pilot maneuvered the airplane back toward the runway, and then attempted a go-around. A witness stated the airplane was approximately one-third of the way down the runway, when it was pushed "over the grass area." After the pilot maneuvered the airplane back over the runway, he heard the engine power increase and observed the airplane bank to the right. During the go-around, the airplane impacted trees that were located about 300 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. It was noted that the terrain sloped upward toward the trees located at the end of the runway. The pilot reported he was unfamiliar with the airport, and did not realized the ground sloped upward until he was closer to the trees. Winds reported at an airport about 16 miles west of the accident site were from 290 degrees at 10 knots. ## Factual narrative On July 14, 2001, about 1100 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA28-140, N38390, was substantially damaged when it struck trees during a go-around at a private airport in Schuyler, New York. The certificated private pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was on approach to runway 10, an asphalt runway, that was about 2,400 feet long, and 30 feet wide. The pilot was interviewed by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector on the date of the accident. The pilot reported he experienced a "wind gust" while on final approach, which pushed the airplane to the left. The pilot maneuvered the airplane back toward the runway, and then attempted a go-around. During the go-around, the airplane impacted trees that were located about 300 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. The pilot added that he experienced "no mechanical problems." A witness stated the airplane was approximately one-third of the way down the runway, when it appeared a "side draft hit the plane and pushed it over the grass area." The pilot maneuvered the airplane back over the runway. The witness then heard the engine power increase and observed the airplane bank to the right. He further stated that the airplane seemed to "float level" into the trees. Examination of the airplane by a FAA inspector did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. The inspector noted that the terrain sloped upward toward the trees located at the end of the runway. The pilot reported he was unfamiliar with the airport, and did not realized the ground sloped upward until he was closer to the trees. Winds reported at an airport about 16 miles west of the accident site, at 1056, were from 290 degrees at 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N38390](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38390-2004-09-13), registration cancelled 2004-09-13, S/N 28-7725279, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA28-140 - 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: 28-7725279 - Airframe hours: 5820 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Keith M. Killen - Registered owner: Blue Skies Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 2000, 116 hours before - Departed: ELZ, WELLSVILLE, NY - Destination: NONE, Schuyler, NY - Airport: NONE, Private, runway 10, 2,400 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 7, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 305 total, 210 in this make and model, 215 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: UCA, 15 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 20010714022209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010714022209A), Jul 14, 2001: Piper PA28140, Schuyler, NY, No damage. (-23) Aircraft attempted landing at a private airport north of Schuyler, NY on runway 10. While landing, a gust of wind from the south blew the aircraft off to… 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.