Pilot Debrief

WINDER ROBERT S VP1 near Grove City, PA — 2014-07-25

Final reportERA14LA358
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Date
2014-07-25
Location
Grove City, PA, USA
Airport
29D
Aircraft
WINDER ROBERT S VP1
Registration
N3831W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

A collision with terrain during the landing approach for reasons that could not be determined based on available information.

NTSB narrative

A witness saw the experimental amateur-built airplane as it performed takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern. After completing several circuits, she again saw the airplane on final approach to land about ¼-mile from the runway threshold. The airplane suddenly "jerked" left, away from the runway centerline, and continued that track in a shallow descent until it impacted a berm off the left side of the runway about 750 ft beyond the threshold. The witness reported that, before impact, the engine sound was smooth and continuous and did not change in pitch or intensity. The engine sound continued uninterrupted until impact. The private pilot was unable to recall any details of the accident. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation; therefore, the reason for the deviation from the approach path and subsequent impact with terrain could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the landing when the aircraft jerked left.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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