History of Flight
On April 25, 2016, about 1300 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-300, N43576, was destroyed after colliding with trees and terrain while conducting a go-around at Boone Inc. Airport (NC14), Boone, North Carolina. The private pilot and a pilot-rated passenger were seriously injured, and the rear seat passenger was fatally injured. The aircraft was privately owned and operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from NC14 about 1255.
A witness at the approach end of runway 31 reported the aircraft was "very fast" as it approached for landing, then disappeared from view; shortly after, a plume of smoke was seen on the adjacent golf course. Another witness, located in a house on a hill on the right side of the departure end of runway 31, stated the airplane was climbing out with the left wing low when it collided with a pine tree. The witness noted the airplane seemed to be attempting to gain altitude but struck another pine tree before impacting the golf course. Witnesses on the golf course observed the airplane climbing and "bobbling" up and down before hitting the top of a stand of pine trees; the airplane nosed down and impacted the golf course, followed by a postimpact fire. Two occupants exited the airplane and were assisted by witnesses before authorities arrived. Neither the pilot nor the surviving passenger could recall the events of the accident flight.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 68, held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating and a FAA third-class medical certificate issued July 2, 2015, with corrective lenses. On his medical application, he reported 604 total flight hours. His logbook was not recovered, so his total experience and time in the accident make/model could not be determined.
The pilot-rated passenger, age 44, held a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine land and instrument ratings and a private pilot certificate with multi-engine land rating. He held a FAA second-class medical certificate with no limitations. His most recent medical application reported 2,600 total flight hours. He succumbed to his injuries 34 days after the accident; his logbook was not recovered.
Aircraft Information
The single-engine airplane, manufactured in 1974, was powered by a Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 engine with a Hartzell HC-C2YK-1 controllable-pitch propeller. Maintenance records showed an annual inspection completed June 16, 2015, at an airframe total time of 7,718.5 hours and engine total time of 4,073 hours. The engine was overhauled August 27, 1992. The last maintenance was January 31, 2016, at about 2,255 hours since overhaul. The aircraft was owned by the pilot and based at NC14.
Meteorological Information
At 1255, the recorded weather at Watauga County Hospital Heliport (TNB), about 1 mile north of the accident site, included wind from 330° at 4 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 ft above ground level, temperature 21°C, dew point 6°C, and altimeter setting 30.11 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Examination of the accident site revealed initial impact with a stand of 75-ft-tall pine trees. Left wing parts and freshly cut branches were found throughout the trees. A wreckage path on a magnetic heading of about 310° extended about 126 ft to the main wreckage on a golf course. The main wreckage included the fuselage, rudder/vertical stabilizer, and stabilators. The outboard left wing was fragmented along the path; the right wing was with the fuselage and consumed by fire. A postimpact fire destroyed the cockpit, cabin, and baggage area. The instrument panel and avionics were fire-damaged.
The flap control handle and bracket were in the retracted position. The fuel selector valve was positioned to the right tip tank detent. The engine was examined: continuity, compression, and suction were confirmed; no anomalies were found in the cylinders via borescope. The fuel injector servo was impact-separated and fire-damaged; the fuel inlet screen contained a small amount of debris. The engine-driven fuel pump was fire-damaged. Both magnetos were heavily fire-damaged. Upper spark plugs showed light gray coloration; lower spark plugs had gray coloration except Nos. 1, 2, and 4 electrodes, which were oil-contaminated. The vacuum pump drive coupling was partially melted; the rotor and vanes were intact. Oil quantity was about 9 quarts; the oil filter media was charred with no debris observed.
Additional Information
According to the FAA Airplane Flying Handbook, go-arounds should be performed when landing conditions are not satisfactory. The handbook notes that the go-around maneuver becomes dangerous only when delayed or improperly executed, stemming from landing expectancy or pride. The handbook emphasizes three cardinal principles: power, attitude, and configuration.