Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary GAA19CA104

Bowling Green, OH, USA

Aircraft #1

N282BG

Piper PA28

Analysis

The solo student pilot reported that, while on short final, the airplane was high, so she reduced the power to idle to descend. As she pulled back on the control yoke for the landing flare, the main landing wheels touched down first, and the airplane suddenly veered left. She corrected with right rudder control and then applied the toe brakes, but the airplane continued to veer left, exited the runway onto grass, and impacted a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing aft spar. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual Information

The solo student pilot reported that, while on short final, the airplane was high, so she reduced the power to idle to lose altitude. As she pulled back on the control yoke for the landing flare, the main landing wheels touched down first and the airplane suddenly veered to the left. She corrected with right rudder control, followed by applying the toe brakes, but the airplane continued to the left, exited the runway onto the grass and impacted a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing aft spar. The student pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control upon touchdown, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a ditch.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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