Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Related factors were the crosswind and the pilot's lack of experience.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On May 10, 1999, about 1540 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N7173R, registered to a private individual, impacted with a ditch after landing at the Rock Hill Airport, Rock Hill, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 local instructional flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The student pilot reported no injuries. The flight had originated from the same airport at 1500.
The airplane landed on runway 02, and started to drift to the right of the runway. The airplane departed the runway, and collided with a ditch that ran parallel to the runway.
According to the pilot this was his first solo landing. He stated, "...final approach was normal, I noticed that a slight cross-wind had developed. When the nose gear touched the plane inexplicably turned sharply right." The student pilot had a total of 50 hours flying time, and 6.4 hour in this make and model airplane.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA99LA153