Piper PA-28-140 N3848K

Summary

On 4 December 1999 at about 16:30 local time, a Piper PA-28-140 registered N3848K was involved in an accident near Pelzer, South Carolina, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 December 1999 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Pelzer, South Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Sky Valley Airstrip (SC32)

Coordinates

34.6404, -82.4603

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-140

Registration

N3848K

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

McCormick → Pelzer

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA00LA040

2 people had minor injuries.

The student pilot's failure to recognize and compensate for changing wind conditions while on final approach and landing and his failure to initiate a timely go-around, resulting in collision with trees and a utility pole.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Statements by both the student pilot and a private pilot-rated passenger reveal that, although the airstrip's wind sock indicated light surface winds, on final approach, the airplane's ground speed appeared excessive and on landing flare, the airplane floated or 'ballooned' for an excessive distance. The student pilot performed a go-around, and collided with trees and a utility pole. The student pilot stated he experienced no mechanical difficulties with the airplane. Federal Air Regulations Part 61.89, paragraph (a), states that , 'A student pilot may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft that is carrying a passenger.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.