General Aviation Accident Bulletin, July 17, 2023

AVweb's General Aviation Accident Bulletin is taken from the pages of our sister publication, Aviation Safety magazine. All the reports listed here are preliminary and include only initial factual findings about crashes. You can learn more about the final probable cause on the NTSB's website at www.ntsb.gov. Final reports appear about a year after the accident, although some take longer. Find out more about Aviation Safety at www.aviationsafetymagazine.com.

The airplane was substantially damaged at about 0750 Eastern time when it collided with terrain while attempting to land. The solo instrument-rated private pilot was fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed; no flight plan was filed.

According to ADS-B data, the airplane departed Fernandina Beach, Fla., at about 0728 and proceeded at 1700 feet MSL to Jesup, Ga. The pilot did not request any ATC services during the flight. At 0746, he initiated a descent, crossing the Jesup airport boundary from the south at 225 feet msl, perpendicular to Runway 29. The airplane was observed in a slight climb before ADS-B data was lost.

The airplane impacted level terrain about 1200 feet from the Runway 29 threshold. Ground signatures were consistent with a right-wing-low, nose-low impact. The wing flap actuator was in the retracted position. The propeller blades exhibited chordwise scratching, surface polishing and “S” bending, indicating it was under power at impact. The airplane’s airframe parachute was not activated, and its safety pin was found in place.

The airport’s automated weather observation at 0750 included ¼-mile visibility in fog, calm winds and a ceiling of 300 feet. Airport personnel who arrived about five minutes after the accident reported and documented fog on the ramp at that time.

At 1443 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during an apparent go-around attempt. The solo private pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed.

The flight departed at about 1330 and flew over the Florida coast for about an hour, performing several turns, climbs and descents before turning inland and conducted several more maneuvers before returning to the airport. He entered a five nautical mile straight-in approach to Runway 10. Winds were reported as from 120 degrees at 10 knots. Several eyewitnesses stated the airplane’s approach appeared slower than normal, with its wings wobbling. The airplane touched down “hard” on its nosewheel before bouncing back into the air. The engine’s power was heard to rapidly increase; then the left wing dropped, contacting the ground, and the airplane went off the side of the runway, cartwheeling for about 75 feet before coming to rest inverted north of the runway.

The airplane was substantially damaged during an attempted go-around at about 1655 Pacific time. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.

During the flight review, the flight instructor gave the pilot a scenario that included a weather diversion. After crossing the “divert” runway’s threshold, the instructor announced there was a simulated obstruction on the runway. During the go-around, the pilot advanced engine power and established the airplane in a level flight attitude, expecting an increase in airspeed. However, the airplane almost immediately yawed left, which the pilot was unable to correct with right rudder. The airplane impacted the left side of the runway in a level attitude before encountering bushes and small trees. A small fire ensued, eventually engulfing much of the airplane.

This article originally appeared in the July 2023 issue of Aviation Safety magazine.

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