Piper PA28-140 accident near Schuyler, New York, July 14, 2001
On July 14, 2001 at about 3:00 pm local time, a Piper PA28-140, registered N38390, was substantially damaged in an accident near Schuyler, New York (Private 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 delayed go-around, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. A factor in this accident was the crosswind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 14, 2001 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Schuyler, New York · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28-140 · all PA28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N38390 · no longer on the register · serial 28-7725279
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was on approach to runway 10, an asphalt runway, that was about 2,400 feet long, and 30 feet wide. The pilot reported he experienced a "wind gust" while on final approach, which pushed the airplane to the left. The pilot maneuvered the airplane back toward the runway, and then attempted a go-around. A witness stated the airplane was approximately one-third of the way down the runway, when it was pushed "over the grass area." After the pilot maneuvered the airplane back over the runway, he heard the engine power increase and observed the airplane bank to the right. During the go-around, the airplane impacted trees that were located about 300 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. It was noted that the terrain sloped upward toward the trees located at the end of the runway. The pilot reported he was unfamiliar with the airport, and did not realized the ground sloped upward until he was closer to the trees. Winds reported at an airport about 16 miles west of the accident site were from 290 degrees at 10 knots.
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: single-engine land
- Flight time: 305 hours in all; 210 in this make and model; 26 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 215 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 7, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,820 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 8, 2000; 116 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E3D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ELZ Wellsville NY at 1:30 pm
- Destination: NONE Schuyler NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 10, 2,400 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,000 ft; a few clouds at 4,200 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 2:56 pm from UCA, 15 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.