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NTSB Report

April 17, 2019 · Piper PA28 181 · N425PA

Wickenburg, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 17, 2019
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Wickenburg, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA28 181 (2001)
Tail Number
N425PA
Operator
Aeroguard Flight Training Center
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA19CA212

The student pilot reported that, on his second approach, he encountered "bumpy" air, and the airplane ballooned. He corrected by adding power, leveling the wings, and continuing the landing. Just before touchdown, the right wing lifted, and the airplane drifted left of the runway centerline. He applied power to go around, but the stall warning activated, and the airplane continued to drift left. Subsequently, the airplane aerodynamically stalled and collided with the ground and an airport taxiway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The student reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. About the time of the accident, the airport's automated weather reporting station reported that the wind was from 270° at 6 knots. The pilot was landing the airplane on runway 23.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during landing and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the subsequent aborted landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Full Narrative

The student pilot reported that, on his second approach, he encountered "bumpy" air and the aircraft ballooned. He corrected by adding power, leveling the wings and continuing the landing. Just prior to touching down, the right wing raised, and the airplane drifted to the left. He applied power to go-around, the stall warning activated but the airplane continued to drift left. Subsequently, the airplane aerodynamically stalled and collided with the ground. Per the photos provided by the Federal Aviation Administration that the airplane also impacted an airport taxi way sign during the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The student pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. About the time of the accident, the automated weather reporting station located at the airport, reported that the wind was from 270° at 6 knots. The pilot was landing the airplane on runway 23.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 MST
Nearest AirportWickenburg Muni (0nm SE)
Runway23
Runway Length6101 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA28 181
Tail NumberN425PA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAeroguard Flight Training Center
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 25 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 52
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time17:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data