PIPER PA 28-140 near Princeton, NJ — 2015-05-16

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing, resulting in a runway excursion.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing, the back wheels of the airplane touched the runway, he heard a pop, and he couldn't control the airplane. He reported that the airplane veered off the right side of the runway, the right wing and nose impacted a ditch, and subsequently sustained substantial damage to both wings and the engine mount. The pilot stated he assumes the right tire exploded during the landing. A front view photograph of the airplane at the accident site (provided by the Federal Aviation Administration), showed the airplane came to rest off the right side of the runway, and that the right main landing gear tire was intact and inflated. The pilot verified that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

• Loss of control on ground · Landing-landing roll

Evidence available

• Photos
• 5 docket documents

Docket documents5

• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
• Record of Conversation (Pilot)other
• Photo 1 – View of right wing (photo courtesy of the FAA)photos
• Photo 2 – View of left wing (photo courtesy of the FAA)photos
• Photo 3 – View of engine mount (photo courtesy of the FAA)photos

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