N88025

Substantial
None

PIPER J3CS/N: 15645

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
NTSB Number
ERA09CA390
Location
South Charleston, WV
Event ID
20090709X43228
Coordinates
38.326389, -81.724441
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

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

Aircraft Information

Registration
N88025
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
15645
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1961
Model / ICAO
J3CJ3
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
WHALEY CLAYTON L
Address
227 PLEASANT VALLEY RD
Status
Deregistered
City
SOUTH CHARLESTON
State / Zip Code
WV 25309
Country
United States

Analysis

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.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA09CA390