PIPER PA-15 near Lakeview, MI — 2009-08-26

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot was reportedly practicing takeoffs and landings. A witness reported seeing the airplane heading east from the airport when it then turned to the left and dove “as if it was dusting crops.” The airplane subsequently impacted the ground in a northerly direction. Impact damage and ground scars indicated that the airplane struck the ground in a nose-low, wings-level attitude at a high rate of speed. Examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact defects with regard to the airframe, engine, or control system.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Loss of control

First missed decision gate

Pilot could have aborted the maneuver before losing control.

NTSB coding

• Loss of control in flight · Approach-VFR pattern crosswind

Evidence available

• Photos
• 3 docket documents

Docket documents3

• Accident Photographs (8 embedded photographs)photos
• Reports from Local Agenciesreport
• Toxicological Reportreport

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