On February 19, 1990, a Piper PA-31T1 (registration N222GW) was involved in an aviation accident near Chamblee, GA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot misjudged the landing sink rate because of a fogged windscreen, leading to a failure to flare prior to touchdown. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During an instrument landing system approach in IMC, the airplane landed hard, collapsing the right main landing gear. The windscreen was fogged; the pilot did not use the defroster and reported no mechanical issues. The pilot misjudged the sink rate due to fog and failed to flare.
Accident Details
The airplane conducted an instrument landing system (ILS) approach in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). During the approach, the windscreen became fogged, impairing the pilot's forward visibility. The pilot stated that the windscreen defrosting system was not utilized during the flight. No mechanical malfunctions were reported.
Landing and Damage
The airplane touched down hard, resulting in the collapse of the right main landing gear. The hard landing was attributed to the pilot's misjudgment of the sink rate. Due to the fogged windscreen, the pilot failed to execute a proper flare before touchdown.
Pilot Statement
The pilot indicated that the defrosting system was not used and that the aircraft had no mechanical issues. The fogged windscreen was cited as the reason for the incorrect assessment of the landing sink rate.
Probable cause
The pilot misjudged the landing sink rate because of a fogged windscreen, leading to a failure to flare prior to touchdown.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 19 Feb 1990 Piper PA-31T1 accident near Chamblee, GA?
During an instrument landing system approach in IMC, the airplane landed hard, collapsing the right main landing gear. The windscreen was fogged; the pilot did not use the defroster and reported no mechanical issues. The pilot misjudged the sink rate due to fog and failed to flare.
Were there any fatalities in the 19 Feb 1990 Piper PA-31T1 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 19 Feb 1990 involved a Piper PA-31T1, registration N222GW, at Chamblee, GA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot misjudged the landing sink rate because of a fogged windscreen, leading to a failure to flare prior to touchdown.
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