Oak Harbor, WA, USA
N4231T
Piper PA-28-180
The accident aircraft was sequenced in the pattern with a Navy P-3 (Lockheed 4-engine) aircraft that was doing touch-and-go landings. While the accident aircraft was on short final, the aircraft rolled violently to the right about 60 to 90 degrees. The pilot attempted to recover from the roll, however, during the maneuver, the right wing struck the runway surface. The aircraft touched down, collapsing the nose gear. The aircraft slid approximately 60 feet before coming to rest on the runway's edge.
On July 18, 2001, approximately 1900 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N4231T, registered to and operated by Whidbey Island Navy Flying Club as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, landed hard at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, Oak Harbor, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the certified flight instructor and private pilot were not injured. The flight was scheduled for a 1.5 hour flight in the local area with a stop at Bremerton, Washington. The manager of the flying club reported that the accident aircraft was sequenced in the pattern with a Navy P-3 (Lockheed 4-engine) aircraft that was doing touch-and-go landings. When the accident aircraft was on short final to runway 25, the aircraft "rolled violently to the right (60-90 degrees)." The pilot attempted to recover from the roll, however, during the maneuver, the right wing struck the runway surface. The aircraft touched down, collapsing the nose gear. The aircraft slid approximately 60 feet before coming to rest on the runway's edge.
The pilot's inadequate remedial action while on final approach. The encounter with wake turbulence was a factor.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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