Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-160 near Lanett, AL — 2026-04-22

Final reportERA26LA185
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Date
2026-04-22
Location
Lanett, AL, USA
Airport
7A3
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-160
Registration
N5958W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with taxiway sign.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was approaching the destination airport for landing and reported that the landing approach was higher and faster than usual. The airplane floated in ground effect before eventually touching down. While decelerating the airplane during the landing roll, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane, and despite his attempts to make corrective control inputs, the airplane departed the paved runway surface. The airplane subsequently struck a taxiway sign resulting in substantial damage to one of the engine’s mounts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and that he should have conducted a go-around rather than continue the unstable (high/fast) landing approach.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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