Pilot Debrief

Piper PA28R near Chandler, AZ — 2019-06-30

Final reportWPR19LA180
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Date
2019-06-30
Location
Chandler, AZ, USA
Airport
CHD
Aircraft
Piper PA28R
Registration
N786N
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in a gusting right quartering headwind, which resulted in a collapse of the left main landing gear.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was performing a second touch-and-go landing with a gusting right quartering headwind. Shortly after touchdown, the airplane drifted to the left, and the left wing dropped. The pilot compensated for the sideward movement by applying full right rudder, which yawed the airplane to the right. The airplane touched down about this time and the pilot immediately applied full brakes. However, the airplane was canted to the right as it continued down the runway bearing a sideload on the left main landing gear until the left gear collapsed. The airplane ground looped and came to rest on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, stabilator, and empennage. Examination of the landing gear did not reveal any mechanical anomalies. The accident was most likely a result of a side load to the left main landing gear due to the pilot’s overcompensation of rudder control while landing in a right quartering crosswind.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the landing when the airplane began to drift left.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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