On September 15, 1984, a Piper PA-28-161 (registration N2225Y) was involved in an aviation accident near Culebra, PR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to continue an approach to runway 31 with a tailwind and initiate a go-around in terrain that prevented a safe climbout, resulting in a stall. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot elected to continue an approach to runway 31 despite warnings that a missed approach was not feasible. After establishing on final with a tailwind, the pilot initiated a go-around but stalled into rising terrain.
What happened
The pilot received advice from other pilots that executing a missed approach at this airport on runway 31 was not possible. All other aircraft in the group successfully landed on runway 13. The accident pilot elected to continue the approach to runway 31 until established on final with a tailwind, at which point he started a go-around. The rising terrain trapped the aircraft, causing it to stall into a hillside.
Findings
Tailwind during final approach
Stall due to insufficient altitude over rising terrain
Inability to execute missed approach on runway 31
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to continue an approach to runway 31 with a tailwind and initiate a go-around in terrain that prevented a safe climbout, resulting in a stall.
What happened in the 15 Sept 1984 Piper PA-28-161 accident near Culebra, PR?
A pilot elected to continue an approach to runway 31 despite warnings that a missed approach was not feasible. After establishing on final with a tailwind, the pilot initiated a go-around but stalled into rising terrain.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 15 Sept 1984 involved a Piper PA-28-161, registration N2225Y, at Culebra, PR.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's decision to continue an approach to runway 31 with a tailwind and initiate a go-around in terrain that prevented a safe climbout, resulting in a stall.
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