CHI97LA169

Factual narrative

On June 16, 1997, at 1938 central daylight time (cdt), a Piper PA-38-112, N2455F, operated by a student pilot, sustained substantial damage when on a go-around from a bounced landing, the airplane struck a wire. The airplane subsequently impacted into a field. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A flight plan was not on file. The student pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated at Minneapolis, Minnesota, at 1930 cdt. In his written statement, the student pilot said that the airplane bounced during landing. "To avoid continued bounces, I decided to go-around. When I added power, the plane turned, heading off the runway. I tried to regain airspeed with full power." The student pilot said that he did not have sufficient altitude to clear some buildings on the northwest side of the airport. He flew the airplane between two buildings. "It [the airplane] appears to have caught a wire drawn between the buildings. The plane pitched down, hitting two fences. The airplane came to rest in a group of trees." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the wreckage at the site found the airplane resting in a field on the west side of an airport perimeter road. The inspector observed several propeller strikes in the road crossing from east to west. Damage was observed to a 3/8-inch rusted static wire located 150 feet east of the accident site. Both of the airplane's wings had broken off at the wing roots. The aft fuselage and empennage were twisted to the left. The airplane's nose gear was bent aft and upward. The airplane's firewall was bent aft. The propeller fittings were sheared at the flange. Both propeller blades were pealed rearward, and showed torsional bending and chordwise scratching. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Examination of the engine, engine controls and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies. The student pilot said that the airplane bounced during landing. 'To avoid continued bounces, I decided to go-around. When I added power, the plane turned, heading off the runway. I tried to regain airspeed with full power.' The student pilot said that he did not have sufficient altitude to clear some buildings on the northwest side of the airport. He flew the airplane between two buildings. 'It [the airplane] appears to have caught a wire drawn between the buildings. The plane pitched down, hitting two fences. The airplane came to rest in a group of trees.' Examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12