Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA30 - NO SERIES near Red Bluff, CA — 2015-03-19

Final reportWPR15LA136
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Date
2015-03-19
Location
Red Bluff, CA, USA
Airport
RBL
Aircraft
PIPER PA30 - NO SERIES
Registration
N8403Y
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, after the airplane touched down and he applied the brakes, the airplane swerved 90 degrees right. He then released the brakes and applied aileron and rudder inputs to correct to the left. Despite the pilot's attempts to regain directional control, the airplane continued to turn right, slid sideways off the runway, went over a berm, and then continued about 40 ft down a 45-degree embankment, which resulted in the collapse of the landing gear and substantial damage to the fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airplane's wheel and brake system did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Wind was reported to be calm at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he did not hold a multiengine rating and that he had a total of 3 hours in the accident airplane make and model.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing due to lack of multiengine rating and limited experience.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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