1990-11-06: Piper PA-24-250 — Rock Hill, SC

Casualties unknown • Rock Hill, SC, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE AIRCRAFT'S ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE ABOVE THE RUNWAY DURING A LOW PASS AND ALLOWED THE PROPELLER TO CONTACT THE RUNWAY; HE THEN FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AFTER A PULL-UP AND ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO STALL.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED IN A LOW PASS OVER THE RUNWAY AT HIGH SPEED WITH THE GEAR RETRACTED. A STEP-DOWN DESCENT WAS MADE AS IT FLEW ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE RUNWAY. WHEN IT WAS ABOUT 1000 FEET FROM THE DEPARTURE END, THE PROPELLER CONTACTED THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE WAS THEN 'PULLED UP' IN A CLIMB. AFTER CLIMBING ABOUT 400 FEET, IT ROLLED RIGHT, ENTERED A DESCENT & CRASHED. A FIRE BEGAN AFTER IMPACT. WITNESSES & A WRECKAGE EXAMINATION INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS OPERATING AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1990-11-06 Piper PA-24-250 accident near Rock Hill, SC?

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1990-11-06 involved a Piper PA-24-250, registration N7840P, at Rock Hill, SC.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE AIRCRAFT'S ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE ABOVE THE RUNWAY DURING A LOW PASS AND ALLOWED THE PROPELLER TO CONTACT THE RUNWAY; HE THEN FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AFTER A PULL-UP AND ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO STALL.

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