Pilot Debrief

Piper PA-28-161 near Vero Beach, FL — 2008-05-24

Final reportNYC08CA193
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Date
2008-05-24
Location
Vero Beach, FL, USA
Airport
VRB
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Registration
N9245Q
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was a crosswind.

NTSB narrative

According to the solo student pilot of the Piper PA-28-161, he initiated a takeoff on runway 29L, a 7,314-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway. As the airplane reached an airspeed of 55 knots, he felt the right wing "drop toward the runway." The airplane pivoted to the left and departed the runway into the grass. The right wing and the right side of the nose section impacted a taxiway sign. The right main landing gear assembly separated from the airplane, damaging an adjacent wing rib. The student pilot and an instructor flew the airplane on the previous flight, practiced takeoffs and landings, and reported no anomalies with the airplane. The student pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies during the accident flight. The reported wind at the airport, about the time of the accident, was from 260 degrees at 9 knots.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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