Summary
On April 23, 2011, a Piper PA-28-180 (N57WV) was involved in an incident near Lake Wales, FL. 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’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
The pilot stated that during the landing roll, a gust of wind impacted the airplane, which turned to the left and departed the left side of the 50-feet-wide, turf runway. After the pilot regained control, he attempted to avoid a ditch by imputing right rudder. The left main landing gear impacted the ditch resulting in substantial damage to the left wing spar. The pilot reported there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA11CA259. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N57WV.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot stated that during the landing roll, a gust of wind impacted the airplane, which turned to the left and departed the left side of the 50-feet-wide, turf runway. After the pilot regained control, he attempted to avoid a ditch by imputing right rudder. The left main landing gear impacted the ditch resulting in substantial damage to the left wing spar. The pilot reported there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the 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# ERA11CA259