Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA28 near Pine Spring, TX — 2018-05-02

Final reportGAA18CA347
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Date
2018-05-02
Location
Pine Spring, TX, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA28
Registration
N9494J
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate altitude while flying over mountainous terrain in turbulent wind conditions at night, which resulted in a tree strike.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while en route in mountainous terrain at night at 6,500 ft, he encountered turbulence and downdrafts, during which time, he "felt a couple of impacts on the left side." He continued to the destination airport, where he noticed the ELT was transmitting over the radio. During the landing, the left main landing gear collapsed. The pilot reported that he initially thought the airplane had struck a bird, but postaccident examination revealed that the left wing had impacted a tree. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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