Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 28-181 near Denver, CO — 2017-07-31

Final reportCEN17LA306
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Date
2017-07-31
Location
Denver, CO, USA
Airport
APA
Aircraft
PIPER PA 28-181
Registration
N2146R
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that the airplane veered right while landing earlier in the day. During the accident landing, the airplane again veered right when the nosewheel touched down on the runway and then exited the runway into grass. While the pilot was attempting to steer the airplane back onto the runway, it hit a runway sign, which separated the right main landing gear from the airplane. The right wing contacted the ground, and the airplane veered right again and then came to rest in the grass alongside the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain directional control.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have executed a go-around instead of attempting to land.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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