# NTSB NYC07CA218: Piper PA-28-181, N3063Y, N Myrtle Beach, SC, September 7, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 7, 2007, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: N Myrtle Beach, SC
- Coordinates: 33.811668, -78.723892
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8117&lon=-78.7239&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66618
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66618/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA218

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a go-around, which resulted in a collision with water.  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).

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

The pilot of the Piper PA-28-181 was on final approach to land on runway 5, a 5,996-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway, when the airplane encountered a gust of wind.  The pilot attempted a go-around; however, the airplane subsequently impacted water on the left side of the runway, and came to rest inverted.  The airplane's left wing spar was fractured.  Winds reported at the airport, about the time of the accident, were from 130 degrees, at 9 knots, gusting to 20 knots.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the Piper PA-28-181 was on approach to land on Runway 5, a 5,996-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway.  The pilot reported that he encountered a gust of wind on final approach, and attempted a go-around.  The airplane subsequently impacted water on the left side of the runway, and came to rest inverted.  The airplane's left wing spar was fractured.  Winds reported at the airport, about the time of the accident, were from 130 degrees, at 9 knots, gusting to 20 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3063Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3063Y-2008-02-19), registration cancelled 2008-02-19, S/N 28-7990390, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 28-7990390
- Airframe hours: 2728
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Martin J. Geraghty
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2007
- Departed: SSI, Brunswick, GA
- Destination: CRE, N Myrtle Beach, SC
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CRE, Grand Strand, runway 5, 5,996 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 89; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,160 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 9 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observed at: CRE

## 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 20070907019229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070907019229A), Sep 7, 2007: Piper PA28181, North Myrtle B, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) PIC reported that during his final approach to land a wind gust caused the aircraft to veer to the left towards a tree line. He applied power and…

## Other investigations on N3063Y (1)

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 MIA81DLD31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA81DLD31), Apr 29, 1981: Piper PA-28 (N3063Y), Ocala, FL, substantial damage

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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