Piper PA-30 accident near Hendersonville, North Carolina, May 8, 1998
On May 8, 1998 at about 2:08 pm local time, a Piper PA-30, registered N7312Y, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hendersonville, North Carolina (Hendersonville Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point and improper go-around procedures resulting in collision with wires, trees, and the ground. Factors were the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane and the short runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 8, 1998 · about 2:08 pm local time
- Place
- Hendersonville, North Carolina · Hendersonville Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-30 · all PA-30s on the register
- Registration
- N7312Y · no longer on the register · serial 30-355
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported he landed beyond the first third of the 3,075 foot runway which was NOTAMed. He stated the brakes seemed ineffective, and a go around was initiated. The pilot stated he applied full power, raised flaps, and lifted off just before the end of the runway. He stated he then made a left bank to avoid trees ahead. During the left bank, the left wing struck a power line, trees, and the ground. The investigation revealed the airplane's landing gear was extended. In this airplane, a normal go-around is accomplished by adding full power, raising the flaps, and raising the landing gear. The pilot had 24 hours of flight time in this airplane. The investigation also revealed the right brake was impact damaged, and the left brake was intact and showed ample pad available. When the cockpit brake peddle was pushed, the pad operated at the left wheel. A witness reported he heard tires skidding several times. He looked out and noticed an airplane near the end of the runway. He heard the engine power increase with approximately 500-600 feet remaining, and the airplane rotated with about 75 feet remaining in the runway. As trees beyond the runway were approached, the pilot turned left, clipped a wire with the left wing, then collided with the ground. The witness stated the landing gear remained down. The landing distance over a 50 foot obstacle with the accident conditions is 2040 feet. Without an obstacle, the airplane can land in 690 feet.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,911 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 31 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 1,797 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,800 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-320-B1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AGS Augusta GA at 1:30 pm
- Destination: OA7
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 14, 3,075 ft by 40 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 300 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:54 pm from AVL, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.