ATL04CA168

Factual narrative

On August 20, 2004, at 1200 eastern daylight time, a Christen Husky A1B, N367SA, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, veered off the runway and collided with a trailer during a landing at Wilson's Airport, Hickory, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the pilot was not injured. The personal flight departed Shelby, North Carolina on August 20, 2004 at 1145. According to the pilot, he was on a local flight at an altitude of 2500 feet when the engine started to run rough. The pilot elected to make a precautionary tail wheel landing on runway 17 at Wilson's Airport, Hickory, North Carolina. The airplane touched down within the first third of the runway threshold. During the landing roll the tail wheel became airborne and the pilot lost directional control. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway. The airplane rolled approximately 20 feet into the grass and collided with a trailer. The airplane came to rest approximately 30 feet from the runway. The pilot stated that during landing roll he encountered wind gusts approximately 13 to 15 knots from approximately 230 degrees. However, the 1153 Hickory Regional Airport weather observation facility reported the winds were 210 degrees at 10 knots, no gusts, and 6 statute miles visibility. The Hickory weather reporting facility is located 5 nautical miles to the north of the accident. According to local forecast thunderstorms were moving into the area. Examination of the airplane at the wreckage site revealed the left landing gear was separated and the firewall was buckled. Examination of the wreckage at the wreckage site revealed no power plant or flight control problems. According to the pilot, he was on a local flight when the engine started to run rough. The pilot elected to make a precautionary landing. During the landing roll the pilot stated that the tail wheel became airborne and he lost directional control. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway. The airplane rolled approximately 20 feet into the grass and collided with a trailer. The pilot stated that during landing roll he encountered wind gusts approximately 13 to 15 knots from approximately 230 degrees. However the 1153 Hickory Regional Airport weather observation facility reported the winds were 210 degrees at 10 knots, no gusts, and 6 statute miles visibility. Examination of the airplane at the wreckage site revealed the left landing gear was separated and the firewall was buckled. Examination of the wreckage at the wreckage site revealed no power plant or flight control problems. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12