Socata TB21 N1879S

Summary

On 27 December 2003 at about 16:05 local time, a Socata TB21 registered N1879S was involved in an accident near Spruce Pine, North Carolina, United States. 5 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 December 2003 at 16:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Spruce Pine, North Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Avery County Airport (7A8)

Coordinates

35.9444, -81.9956

Aircraft

Socata TB21

Registration

N1879S

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gallatin → Spruce Pine

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL04LA059

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate flare, and his failure to maintain directional control. The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and trees are a contributing factor.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated he entered left traffic for runway 34, and he noticed a reduction in airspeed as the airplane crossed over a hill. He increased power and the airplane developed an excessive sink rate. The pilot added power; the airplane touched down on the runway, and bounced back into the air. The airplane touched down again and went off the left side of the runway, down an embankment, and the left wing collided with a tree. Witnesses located on the airport who observed the accident stated the winds were one to three knots. Another witness located adjacent to the airport stated the winds were calm. The pilot stated he did not encounter any mechanical problems.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.