Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA28R near Defuniak Springs, FL — 2023-05-04

Final reportERA23LA217
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Date
2023-05-04
Location
Defuniak Springs, FL, USA
Airport
54J
Aircraft
PIPER PA28R
Registration
N3796T
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taking off in a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a berm. Contributing was the automated weather briefing which failed to include accurate wind information.

Contributing factors

Contributing was the automated weather briefing which failed to include accurate wind information.

NTSB narrative

The pilot listened to the recorded weather information then took off on the airport’s only paved runway with a direct crosswind of about 5 kts. He described that during the initial climb, the airplane encountered either a downdraft or increasing wind over trees next to the runway that resulted in the airplane rolling left. The pilot attempted to counteract the roll; however, the airplane settled off the sloped left side of the runway, impacted a berm, bounced up, and came to rest on the taxiway. The left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Postaccident communication with the Federal Aviation Administration revealed that the airport manager’s weather reporting system included gusting wind that was not reported by the automated weather system.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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