Summary
On August 31, 2018, a Piper PA28 (N8172N) was involved in an accident near Porterville, CA. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
The pilot reported that she initiated the landing flare and the airplane floated about 100 feet and landed normally. About 400 feet into the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right, exited the right side of the runway and collided with taxiway lights prior to coming to rest.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage intermediate bulkhead.
She reported that during landing the windsock indicated "no wind." However, after the accident she and her passenger witnessed dust devils close to the runway.
The airport's METAR reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 6 knots. The airplane landed on runway 30.
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA18CA579. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8172N.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that she initiated the landing flare and the airplane floated about 100 feet and landed normally. About 400 feet into the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right, exited the right side of the runway and collided with taxiway lights prior to coming to rest.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage intermediate bulkhead.
She reported that during landing the windsock indicated "no wind." However, after the accident she and her passenger witnessed dust devils close to the runway.
The airport's METAR reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 6 knots. The airplane landed on runway 30.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA18CA579