N38890

On May 20, 1996, about 0900 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N38890, was destroyed when it collided with the ground during landing at the Monticello Airport, Monticello, New York. The student pilot, sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Newburgh, New York. No flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot reported that she obtained a weather briefing for a solo cross country flight from Monticello to Newburgh. Prior to departure the intended flight was discussed with her instructor. The pilot then stated:

"On my return flight, I ran into gusting winds so [I] listened to the local AWOS whose final report I heard was wind gusting 16 [knots]. I determined to make one attempt at landing [to runway 01], or if running into difficulties, to make a go-around and fly to Sullivan County Airport (MSV) as taught. By the time I applied throttle for a go-around, a wind gust must have picked up my left wing, for I was sliding on the side of the runway upside down."

The pilot also reported that there were no malfunctions with the airplane. The pilot had a total flight experience of about 56 hours, of which 10 were solo.

According to the Airport Facility Directory, runway 01 at Monticello was a 2,845 foot long, 31 foot wide runway.

The automated weather observation system at MSV, 7 miles northwest of the accident site, at 0956, reported the winds from 290 degrees at 15 knots, with gusts to 21 knots.