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April 7, 2008 · Piper PA-28-161 · N9233X

Vero Beach, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 7, 2008
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Vero Beach, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N9233X
Operator
Flightsafety Academy
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC08CA159

The solo student pilot of the PA-28 was practicing at his home airport when, just after touchdown, the airplane veered off the runway and encountered a ditch. The tower-controlled airport was configured with two parallel runways and one intersecting runway. About 41 minutes prior to the accident, the recorded winds were 020 degrees at 10 knots, and the tower was directing traffic to use runways 11R and 11L. During the first landing rollout, the pilot opted to perform a touch and go instead of a full stop, due to his concerns about the winds, and his ability to control the airplane on the ground. His second approach to the same runway resulted in a go-around, again due to the winds. On the third approach, the airplane bounced, veered off the left side of the runway, encountered a ditch, and stopped. The recorded winds 13 minutes after the accident were from 350 degrees at 13 knots, with gusts to 17 knots. Subsequent to the accident, the pilot stated that he was uncomfortable with the wind and runway combination, but that he lacked the confidence to challenge the tower's runway selection. Shortly after the accident, the control tower switched operations to the single runway to align traffic with the prevailing wind.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's loss of directional control on landing. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind and wind gusts.

Full Narrative

The solo student pilot of the PA-28 was practicing at his home airport when, just after touchdown, the airplane veered off the runway and encountered a ditch. The tower-controlled airport was configured with two parallel runways and one intersecting runway. About 41 minutes prior to the accident, the recorded winds were 020 degrees at 10 knots, and the tower was directing traffic to use runways 11R and 11L. During the first landing rollout, the pilot opted to perform a touch and go instead of a full stop, due to his concerns about the winds, and his ability to control the airplane on the ground. His second approach to the same runway resulted in a go-around, again due to the winds. On the third approach, the airplane bounced, veered off the left side of the runway, encountered a ditch, and stopped. The recorded winds 13 minutes after the accident were from 350 degrees at 13 knots, with gusts to 17 knots. Subsequent to the accident, the pilot stated that he was uncomfortable with the wind and runway combination, but that he lacked the confidence to challenge the tower's runway selection. Shortly after the accident, the control tower switched operations to the single runway to align traffic with the prevailing wind.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:40 EDT
Nearest AirportVero Beach Municipal (0nm)
Runway11L
Runway Length3405 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN9233X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFlightsafety Academy
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 32 · First Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 13 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.89 inHg
Observation Time20:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data