Pilot Debrief

Piper PA28 near Merritt Island, FL — 2018-08-09

Final reportGAA18CA479
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Date
2018-08-09
Location
Merritt Island, FL, USA
Airport
COI
Aircraft
Piper PA28
Registration
N487JK
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering to avoid a bird during the landing flare, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

The solo student pilot reported that, during landing, before initiating the landing flare, he saw a "white bird" heading toward the airplane. He applied left rudder to avoid the bird, and the airplane drifted left of the runway centerline. He then "[pulled] the yoke back," but the left main landing gear impacted a taxiway sign, and the airplane settled on grass adjacent to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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