Casualties unknown

1998-10-21: Piper PA-28R-201 (N31869) — Million Air — Mattituck, NY

Mattituck, NY, US

On October 21, 1998, a Piper PA-28R-201 (registration N31869) operated by Million Air was involved in an aviation accident near Mattituck, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain the airplane's directional control during a go-around. 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.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A commercial pilot flying from the right seat attempted a go-around due to safety concerns but drifted left into trees during the maneuver.

What happened

The incident involved a flight where the commercial pilot occupied the right seat while a passenger, identified as a student pilot, sat in the left seat. During the landing phase, the commercial pilot initiated the approach. At some point during the final stages of the landing, the pilot determined that the aircraft could not land safely.

Consequently, the decision was made to execute a go-around maneuver. As the aircraft began this climb-out procedure, it drifted off the left side of the runway. The airplane subsequently collided with trees located near the departure end of the runway. Environmental conditions at the time included winds from the right at approximately 10 knots.

The investigation

The factual narrative indicates that the commercial pilot was in control during the landing attempt. The decision to abort the landing was made by the pilot who felt it could not be done safely. The aircraft's path deviated to the left during the go-around, leading to the impact with the tree line.

Findings

Contributing factors included the wind conditions from the right and the pilot's decision to perform a go-around after initiating the landing. The drift off the left side of the runway resulted in the collision with trees.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X11334. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.