Summary
On October 18, 2018, a Piper PA28 (N41390) was involved in an incident near Hastings, MI. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in the airplane landing sideways and a subsequent runway excursion.
The flight instructor reported that, while observing the solo student pilot's flight from the ground, the approach looked good, but the airplane might have been fast. As the airplane flared, he noticed the right wing "kind of pop up" just before touch down. Subsequently, the airplane landed sideways and exited the left side of the runway.
The instructor added that, the student was unsure of what happened, but reported that he had just lost control.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.
The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA028. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N41390.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in the airplane landing sideways and a subsequent runway excursion.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The flight instructor reported that, while observing the solo student pilot's flight from the ground, the approach looked good, but the airplane might have been fast. As the airplane flared, he noticed the right wing "kind of pop up" just before touch down. Subsequently, the airplane landed sideways and exited the left side of the runway.
The instructor added that, the student was unsure of what happened, but reported that he had just lost control.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.
The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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# GAA19CA028