Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-180 near Glen St. Mary, FL — 2009-09-27

Final reportERA09LA547
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Date
2009-09-27
Location
Glen St. Mary, FL, USA
Airport
FD27
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-180
Registration
N7720W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

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

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he performed a "good" landing; however, after touchdown the airplane veered to the left. He applied right rudder and right brake, but was unsuccessful in regaining control of the airplane. The left wing lifted and the right wingtip struck the ground spinning the airplane clockwise to the right. The airplane came to rest after the left wing also struck the ground and the airplane settled back on its landing gear. The pilot reported to police after the accident that he "lost control of the aircraft" during landing and slid into a ditch. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to both wings and the nose landing gear clevis pin was sheared. Further examination of the landing gear and steering control system revealed overstress fractures to the rod end and clevis pin, and no evidence of a pre-impact failure.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the landing when control was lost during rollout.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents10

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