Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary WPR09CA157

San Luis Obispo, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N8215P

PIPER PA-24-250

Analysis

The pilot reported that during touchdown he felt a change in the right crosswind component and his downwind (left) landing gear contacted the ground first. Subsequent right rudder corrections were insufficient and the airplane veered off of the left side of the runway, down an embankment, and impacted an airport perimeter fence. The right wing received an 18-inch-deep by 8-inch-wide indentation approximately 4 feet outboard of the wing root and impact damage to the right wing tip fuel tank.

Factual Information

The pilot reported that during touchdown on runway 29, he felt a change in the right crosswind component and his downwind (left) landing gear contacted the ground first. Subsequent right rudder corrections were insufficient and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway, down an embankment, and impacted an airport perimeter fence. The right wing received an 18-inch-deep by 8-inch-wide indentation approximately 4 feet outboard of the wing root and the right wing tip fuel tank was impact damaged. Reported winds at the airport were from 020 degrees at 9 knots.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswinds during touchdown.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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