NTSB Factual Report

On October 10, 2007, at 1044 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-160, N5235W, lost control during the landing roll at Twin County Airport, Hillsville, Virginia. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot and two passengers were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight departed from Dr. C P Savage Sr. Airport, Montezuma, Georgia, about 0730.

The pilot's brother stated that he was watching the pilot land, when he felt a strong crosswind, and saw the airplane veer off the right side of the runway. Shortly thereafter, he heard the engine power up, and saw the airplane begin to climb. The airplane flew into an embankment and collided with trees. The pilot's brother said that after the accident, the pilot told him that he had lost control of the airplane during landing, and that he had attempted a go-around. The pilot also told him that there were no problems with the airplane, "he just lost control of it." The pilot did not provide the National Transportation Safety Board with a 6120.1 accident/incident form with the required 10 days after the accident in accordance with Title 49, Chapter VIII, subpart 830.15.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot attempted to land on runway 19, a 4,204-foot-long, 75-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The reported wind at the airport, about the time of the accident, was from 290 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 22 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a go-around.