PIPER J3C
South Charleston, WV — July 8, 2009
Event Information
| Date | July 8, 2009 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ERA09CA390 |
| Event ID | 20090709X43228 |
| Location | South Charleston, WV |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 38.32639, -81.72444 |
| Airport | Mallory Airport |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | J3C |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control during the attempted go-around.
Full 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.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.