Piper PA-28-140 accident near Jacksonville, North Carolina, May 9, 2013
On May 9, 2013 at about 8:50 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registered N4518F, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Jacksonville, North Carolina (Albert J Ellis Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the go-around attempt, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with the ground.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 9, 2013 · about 8:50 pm local time
- Place
- Jacksonville, North Carolina · Albert J Ellis Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N4518F · no longer on the register · serial 28-7725019
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the solo student pilot, he returned to the traffic pattern following some airwork, and was practicing landings to a full stop. On final approach to runway 5, the airplane drifted to the left side of the runway. The left main landing gear touched down first, and the airplane pivoted to the left. The student attempted a full power go-around, and as he pulled back on the yoke during takeoff, the left wing stalled, and the nose gear struck the ground. The airplane spun around 180 degrees before coming to a stop, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and empennage. He reported that the wind was calm just before the landing. The student pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Student pilot
Dual student
- Flight time: 23 hours in all; 23 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 5 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,958 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 1, 2012; 28 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OAJ Jacksonville NC at 7:40 pm
- Destination: OAJ Jacksonville NC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 05, 7,100 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from OAJ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.