Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CEN10CA318

Brookshire, TX, USA

Aircraft #1

N55208

PIPER PA-28R-200

Analysis

According to the pilot, during the final approach to a wet grass strip the airplane encountered a downdraft. Upon touchdown, the airplane began to drift to the left and the pilot corrected with right rudder. The left main landing gear impacted two concrete driveways off of the left side of the runway that protrude from the ground between four and six inches. After impacting the second driveway the left main landing gear separated and impacted the empennage. The left wing spar was bent. An examination of the airplane's systems conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no preimpact anomalies and the pilot confirmed that there was nothing mechanically wrong with the airplane at the time of the accident.

Factual Information

According to the pilot, during the final approach to a wet grass strip the airplane encountered a downdraft. Upon touchdown, the airplane began to drift to the left, and the pilot corrected with right rudder. The left main landing gear impacted two concrete driveway's off of the left side of the runway which protrude from the ground between four and six inches. After impacting the second driveway the left main landing gear separated and impacted the empennage. The left wing spar was bent. An examination of the airplane's systems, conducted by the FAA, revealed no anomalies. The pilot confirmed that there was nothing mechanically wrong with the airplane at the time of the accident.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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