Pilot Debrief

Piper PA-28-180 near Rifle, CO — 2008-04-20

Final reportDFW08CA124
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Date
2008-04-20
Location
Rifle, CO, USA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Registration
N7417W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane on landing. A factor was the crosswind and wind gusts.

NTSB narrative

The 52-year-old private pilot was attempting to land his single-engine, low-wing airplane on Runway 26 with a crosswind. While on final approach, at a speed of 90 mph, he encountered wind shear, which resulted in a sudden loss of airspeed. The airplane then made a slight bounce on the runway, before another gust of wind picked up the left wing and blew the airplane off the runway into the dirt. Subsequently, the right wing contacted the ground resulting in substantial damage. The propeller and the nose gear were also damaged. The wind at the time was reported from 220 degrees at 19 knots gusting to 33 knots.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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