Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary NYC04CA094

Louisville, KY, USA

Aircraft #1

N340PA

Piper PA-28-181

Analysis

As the student pilot was landing on the 80-foot wide runway, it began to drift to the right of the centerline. The certified flight instructor (CFI) immediately took control of the airplane, lowered the nose, and added full power. Attempts by the CFI to correct the drift using rudder and aileron inputs were unsuccessful, and the airplane touched down on the right side of the runway. The airplane continued down the right side of the runway, where the right wing struck a taxiway identification sign. The CFI additionally stated that he did not experience any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. The winds reported at the airport, at 1153, were from 200 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 18 knots.

Factual Information

On March 25, 2004, at 1139 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, N340PA, was substantially damaged while landing at the Bowman Field (LOU), Louisville, Kentucky. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the CFI, as the student pilot was landing on runway 24, a 4,326-foot long, 80-foot wide asphalt runway; it began to drift to the right of the centerline. The CFI immediately took control of the airplane, lowered the nose, and added full power. Attempts by the CFI to correct the drift using rudder and aileron inputs were unsuccessful, and the airplane touched down on the right side of the runway. The airplane continued down the right side of the runway, where the right wing struck a taxiway identification sign. The CFI additionally stated that he did not experience any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. The winds reported at the airport, at 1153, were from 200 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 18 knots.

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing, and the CFI's delayed remedial action. A factor related to the accident was the gusting wind conditions.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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