Pilot Debrief

PIPER J3C near South Charleston, WV — 2009-07-08

Final reportERA09CA390
Sign in to save
Date
2009-07-08
Location
South Charleston, WV, USA
Airport
WV12
Aircraft
PIPER J3C
Registration
N88025
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control during the attempted go-around.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting takeoffs and landings while remaining in the airport traffic pattern. On the third attempted landing to runway 33, he was "blinded" by the setting sun during the landing flare. The airplane touched down on its left main landing gear and "bounced high." The pilot then attempted a go-around, but stalled and impacted trees to the side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the engine firewall. Neither the pilot nor a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, who examined the airplane after the accident, reported any aircraft malfunctions or mechanical anomalies. The nearest weather reporting facility, located approximately 8 miles northeast of the accident location, reported winds from 030 degrees at 3 knots at the time of the accident.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

Related mishaps