NTSB Factual Report

On October 28, 2001, at 1256 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N4879L, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed on impact with trees and terrain while attempting a go-around from runway 23 (3,110 feet by 100 feet, asphalt) at the Smith Field Airport, Fort Wayne, Indiana. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and was on a visual flight rules flight plan. The pilot and passenger received serious injuries. The flight originated from the Delaware County-Johnson Field Airport, Muncie, Indiana about 1200.

In a written report, the pilot said that while on short final for landing, a gust of wind blew the airplane off the runway centerline. He said that he, "...immediately executed a go-around in which the plane banked sharply right, which [he] could not counter...." In a separate report, the pilot said that he was landing on runway 23 when the airplane banked sharply to the right. He said that he, "...attempted a go-around while trying to level the wings with no avail and crashed into trees north-east of the airport." The pilot listed no mechanical malfunction in his reports of the accident.

A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that could be associated with a pre-impact condition.

A weather report for a recording station located about 10 nautical miles south of the accident site listed the wind at 1254 as 240 degrees magnetic at 11 knots. No wind gusts were recorded for that report.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot not maintaining control of the airplane during an attempted go-around. A factor was the trees.