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July 7, 2021 · Piper PA-28-140 · N91W

Greensboro, NC

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 7, 2021
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Greensboro, NC
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140 (1969)
Tail Number
N91W
Operator
Bethany Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA21LA285

The student pilot was approaching to land at his home airport on a solo flight. The wind was almost directly down the runway at 6 knots. After he turned onto the base leg of the traffic pattern, air traffic control (ATC) inquired if he had turned base. He informed them he had and needed to immediately turn on the final. ATC then asked an airplane to hold position. His approach angle was normal, he was on the centerline, and his airspeed was about 85 mph. As he crossed the threshold of the runway, he reduced the throttle to idle, and the airplane touched down firmly, but did not bounce. When the nosewheel contacted the runway pavement, the airplane began shaking and the airplane began heading towards the right side of the runway. The student pilot attempted to correct, but his corrections started a series of oscillations which grew in amplitude. The airplane then entered the grass next to the runway and he let the airplane continue along its path of travel for fear of flipping the airplane over. The airplane then encountered a drainage ditch and came to rest on the other side of it. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Identification/recognition-Student/instructed pilot

Full Narrative

The student pilot was approaching to land at his home airport on a solo flight. The wind was almost directly down the runway at 6 knots. After he turned onto the base leg of the traffic pattern, air traffic control (ATC) inquired if he had turned base. He informed them he had and needed to immediately turn on the final. ATC then asked an airplane to hold position. His approach angle was normal, he was on the centerline, and his airspeed was about 85 mph. As he crossed the threshold of the runway, he reduced the throttle to idle, and the airplane touched down firmly, but did not bounce. When the nosewheel contacted the runway pavement, the airplane began shaking and the airplane began heading towards the right side of the runway. The student pilot attempted to correct, but his corrections started a series of oscillations which grew in amplitude. The airplane then entered the grass next to the runway and he let the airplane continue along its path of travel for fear of flipping the airplane over. The airplane then encountered a drainage ditch and came to rest on the other side of it. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:31 EDT
Nearest AirportPiedmont Triad Intl (0nm NNW)
Runway23R
Runway Length9001 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN91W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBethany Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 17000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.09 inHg
Observation Time09:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data