PIPER PA28 near Bellefonte, PA — 2020-11-29

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting solo touch and go landings and on the fourth landing, the airplane was “blown” off the runway centerline on short final approach. She applied left rudder to return to the centerline, but upon touchdown, there was “…too much left rudder,” and the airplane veered to the left and departed the runway into the grass. The pilot did not apply brakes before impacting a gully and fence, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

• Loss of control on ground · Landing-landing roll

Evidence available

• Photos
• 4 docket documents

Docket documents4

• OPERATOR AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT, NTSB FORM 6120.1form
• PILOT AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT, NTSB FORM 6120.1form
• MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD A�� TELEPHONE INTERVIEW, PILOTinterview
• INVESTIGATIVE PHOTOGRAPHSphotos

Related mishaps

• CESSNA A185F

  2026-06-27 · Angel Fire, NM

• CESSNA 180H

  2026-06-21 · Port Angeles, WA

• CESSNA 140

  2026-06-01 · Pasco, WA

• EAA Acro Sport II

  2026-05-31 · Sheridan, AR

• PITTS SPECIAL S-1S

  2026-05-29 · Bartlesville, OK

• GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORP GVII-G600

  2026-05-27 · Birmingham, AL