ATL04LA059

Factual narrative

On December 27, 2003, at 1105 eastern standard time, a Socata TB21, N1879S, registered to and operated by Willis Aviation Resources LLC, as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, veered off the left side of the runway during an attempted landing, went down an embankment, and collided with a tree at Avery County/Morrison Field, Spruce Pine, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual rules flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and four passengers reported no injuries. The flight originated from Gallatin, Tennessee, on December 27, 2003, at 0845 central standard time. The pilot stated he entered left traffic for runway 34, and while on final approach to land he noticed a reduction in airspeed as the airplane crossed over a hill. He increased power and the airplane developed an excessive sink rate. When the pilot added more power to stop the sink rate, 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. The pilot stated he did not encounter any mechanical problems with the airplane. Witnesses who observed the accident stated the winds were one to three knots. Another witness stated the winds were calm. The Hickory Regional Airport located 31 miles southeast of the airport winds was calm with no reported wind shear. 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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12