Summary
On November 26, 1998, a Piper PA-28-R200 (N2988R) was involved in an incident near Eden Prairie, MN. All 3 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot misjudged the flare and did not maintain directional control during touchdown. A factor was the VASI lights.
On November 25, 1998, at 1839 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-R200, N2988R, was substantially damaged when it swerved off the runway during a full stop landing and impacted the VASI lights. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed Lansing, Michigan, en route to the Flying Cloud Airport, Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight plan had been filed.
The pilot reported that she initiated the flare over the numbers of runway 27L. She reported the "nose alignment drifted slightly left." She reported the left main gear touched down first and then the right main gear shortly after. The nose gear touched down 3 to 5 seconds after the right main gear.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CHI99LA041. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2988R.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot misjudged the flare and did not maintain directional control during touchdown. A factor was the VASI lights.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On November 25, 1998, at 1839 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-R200, N2988R, was substantially damaged when it swerved off the runway during a full stop landing and impacted the VASI lights. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed Lansing, Michigan, en route to the Flying Cloud Airport, Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight plan had been filed.
The pilot reported that she initiated the flare over the numbers of runway 27L. She reported the "nose alignment drifted slightly left." She reported the left main gear touched down first and then the right main gear shortly after. The nose gear touched down 3 to 5 seconds after the right main gear. The pilot reported the airplane "...continued landing roll for less than 2 seconds after nose gear touched down before all steering was lost. Plane swerved hard left and initiated aircraft skidding with right side of aircraft turned slightly." The right wingtip struck the VASI support stand, and the airplane spun 90 degrees clockwise before stopping. The pilot reported the VASI light fell on the right wing and collapsed the right main gear.
The damage to the airplane included the right main gear was collapsed and punched through the wing spar.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI99LA041