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CHI96FA117

1996-03-24 · CARROLLTON, Ohio, United States · Fatal · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport TSO

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition, his failure to maintain directional control, and his failure not raise the landing flaps during the go-around. The crosswind was a factor.

Factual narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On March 24, 1996, at 1200 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N7452W, operated by a private pilot, was destroyed after impacting a hangar and the terrain. The airplane was attempting a go around from an approach to runway 7 at Carroll County Airport, Carrollton, Ohio. The pilot and one passenger sustained fatal injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Ashland, Ohio, exact time unknown. Witnesses to the accident stated that at the time of the accident the winds were from the south at 15 knots with gusts to 20 knots. They observed the accident airplane attempt a landing on runway 7 followed by a go around. During the go around the airplane was observed to turn to the north with an angle of bank described as near vertical. The airplane was seen to descend impacting a hangar through the roof and continue out the back side of the building. The witnesses stated that a post impact fire occurred once the airplane had come to rest outside the building. They stated that the engine sounds were normal throughout the approach, go around, and prior to the impact.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

The pilot was born August 20, 1944. He held a private pilot certificate, issued December 30, 1995. He held a third class medical certificate issued August 8, 1995. His application for the flight test for the private certificate indicated that he had 80 hours of flight experience with 58 hours in the make and model of accident airplane. Neither the pilot nor airplane log books were located during the investigation. The pilot's son stated that the log books had been stored in the airplane's baggage compartment. A search at the scene failed to locate the log books.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The airplane was a Piper PA-28-180, N7452W, serial number 28-1341. The most recent annual inspection was conducted on October 1, 1995. The exact total time on the airframe and engine were not determined. As noted above no log books were located.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The wreckage of the airplane was lying upright headed north. Much of the airframe had been consumed by the ground fire. The airplane had exited the rear of a hangar through the rear wall of the building. The entry impact was through the roof and front sliding door. The accident airplane struck one airplane inside the hangar resulting in substantial damage to that airplane. Engine and control continuity was confirmed by cables through the cockpit to the yoke and instrument panel. The flaps were found to be extended to 30 degrees. No fuel was found. The fuel tanks were burned as were the lines to the engine. The engine suffered some external fire damage; however, was moved and examined further. The carburetor and magnetos were capable of operation. The propeller had chordwise scratches and nicks in the leading edge. A rearward bend in one propeller blade was similar to a cut in the stabilator of the airplane stored in the hangar where the airplane impacted.

FIRE

Witnesses stated that a post impact fire started immediately after the accident airplane exited the hangar. The fire consumed most of the airframe of the airplane, with the exception of the empennage.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

A post mortem examination of the pilot was conducted at the Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office on March 25, 1996. The cause of death was attributed to thermal injuries. Toxicological examination of specimens from the pilot was accomplished and found negative for those drugs screened with the exception of carbon monoxide which the coroner attributed to post crash fire artifact.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The airplane was released to a representative of the pilot's estate on March 24, 1996. Parties to the investigation were The Federal Aviation Administration, Grand Rapids Flight Standards District Office; Piper Aircraft of Vero Beach, Florida; and Lycoming Engines of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Witnesses observed the airplane in an attempt to land on runway 7. The wind was reported to be from 180 degrees at 15 knots with gusts to 20 knots. Witnesses described the airplane initiating a go-around and immediately turn to the north in a near vertical bank. Witnesses then reported the airplane descended through the roof of a hangar and exit through the rear of the building. Subsequent examination of the airframe and engine failed to reveal any pre-impact anomalies. The landing flaps were found in the 30 degree extended position. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_1996_CHI96FA117.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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