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February 16, 2020 · Piper PA28 140 · N6520W

Sparta, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 16, 2020
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Sparta, MI
Aircraft
Piper PA28 140 (1965)
Tail Number
N6520W
Operator
P T Arts
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN20CA089

The student pilot reported that, before the accident flight, he and his flight instructor had conducted three uneventful landings on the snow-covered runway before the instructor exited the airplane to allow him to make his first solo flight. During the first solo landing, the airplane slid "a bit," and the airplane came to a stop about 90° from the desired runway heading. The student taxied the airplane back to the ramp where he and the instructor discussed the landing, and both agreed that the student could continue with his second solo flight. During the second solo landing, the airplane slid left upon touchdown, and the student applied right rudder but was unable to regain directional control. Subsequently, the airplane slid into a snowbank beside the runway. The outboard 3 ft of the left wing sustained substantial damage. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction with the flight controls, nosewheel steering, or wheel brakes. Most of the runway was covered with between about 1 and 2 inches of snow/slush at the time of the accident. It is likely that the student landed the airplane on a snow/slush-covered portion of the runway, which resulted in the loss of directional control.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing on the snow/slush-covered portion of the runway and the flight instructor's improper decision to allow the student to make his first solo flight from a snow/slush-covered runway.

Full Narrative

The student pilot reported that before the accident flight he and his flight instructor had made 3 uneventful landings on the snow-covered runway before his flight instructor exited the airplane to allow him to make his first solo flight. The student pilot stated that his first solo landing resulted in "a bit of sliding" and that the airplane had come to a stop about 90° to the desired runway heading. The student pilot taxied the airplane back to the ramp where he and his instructor discussed the landing, and both agreed to continue with the solo flight. The student pilot reported that during his second solo landing the airplane slid to the left upon touchdown, and that he was unable to regain directional control with right rudder before the airplane slid into a snowbank beside the runway. The outboard 3 ft of the left wing was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground. The student pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane during the flight. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction with the flight controls, nosewheel steering, or wheel brakes. Most of the runway was covered with 1-2 inches of snow/slush at the time of the accident. It is likely that the student pilot landed the airplane on a snow/slush covered portion of the runway when he lost directional control.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:50 EST
Nearest AirportSparta Airport (0nm)
Runway25
Runway Length4032 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA28 140
Tail NumberN6520W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorP T Arts
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 27 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 13 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 23 C
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data