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Sunshine brings down Piper

By NTSB · July 13, 2011 ·

This July 2009 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.

Aircraft: Piper J-3. Injuries: None. Location: South Charleston, W.Va. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: The pilot was conducting takeoffs and landings in the late afternoon. The first two patterns went well, but during the third approach, the pilot was blinded by the setting sun during the landing flare. The plane touched down on its left main landing gear and bounced high. The pilot attempted to do a go-around, but the plane stalled and came down in trees alongside the runway.

Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain control during the attempted go-around.

For more information: NTSB.gov NTSB Identification: ERA09CA390

About NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in the other modes of transportation, including railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. It determines the probable causes of accidents and issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences.

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