Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-24 near Stratford, CT — 2015-09-07

Final reportERA15LA356
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Date
2015-09-07
Location
Stratford, CT, USA
Airport
BDR
Aircraft
PIPER PA-24
Registration
N7708P
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in a crosswind.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that, as the airplane approached the airport after the cross-country flight, he checked the weather, which indicated that the surface wind was from 230 degrees at 10 knots. He chose to land on runway 29 because runway 24 was closed. He stated that, on final approach, the "crosswind became evident." After touchdown, the airplane veered sharply left. The pilot used steering and braking inputs to keep the airplane on the runway, but his efforts were not successful, and there was no noticeable reduction in speed. The airplane subsequently exited the runway surface and spun sharply left. The right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and right wing. Examination of the brakes, rudder, and nose wheel steering systems revealed no discrepancies.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Diverting to an alternate airport with lower or no crosswind component.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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