YOUNG, AZ, USA
N8RJ
PIPER PA-28-180
THE AIRPLANE ARRIVED OVER THE DESTINATION AIRPORT ON TOP OF AN OVERCAST. THE PILOT FOUND A BREAK IN THE OVERCAST AND DESCENDED UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES. THE PILOT WAS ENCOUNTERING MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS WHILE UNDER THE OVERCAST. THE PILOT INDICATED RELIABLE RADIO NAVIGATION SIGNALS WERE LOST AND HE ELECTED TO LAND AT A DIRT AIRSTRIP, RATHER THAN TO CONTINUE FLIGHT IN MARGINAL VFR WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE AIRSTRIP'S DIRT RUNWAY WAS MUDDY AND THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE RUNWAY ON THE LEFT SIDE WHERE IT COLLIDED WITH A BERM ON THE RUNWAY SHOULDER COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT MUDDY RUNWAY CONDITIONS AT THE DIRT AIRSTRIP.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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