20220712012479A

Accident · Substantial damage

FAA accident report · Piper PA-28-161 · Kelso, WA · July 12, 2022

Date: July 12, 2022 · 17:00 local
Place: Kelso, WA
Airport: Southwest Washington Regional
Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Damage: Substantial damage
Aircraft: N43037
NTSB investigation: NTSBWPR22LA260
Reported as: Piper PA-28-161
Reported engine: Lycoming 0-320 series
People aboard: 1
Fatal injuries: 0
Other injuries: 0
Pilot’s certificate: Student
Pilot’s flight hours: 29 total25 in this make and model29 in the last 90 days

N43037Registered now · Piper PA-28-161S/N 28-8316068 · Built 1983 Airframe modelPiper PA-28-161 Engine modelLycoming 0-320 seriesReciprocating

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

During landing on rwy 32 a gust of wind caused the airplane to veer left striking the PAPI light with the right wing, outboard of the fuel tank. The solo student pilot regained control and taxiied to the ramp. No injuries were reported but the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the right wing. Wind reported at the time was 280 degrees, 12 knots, gusts to 16 knots. Runway 32 in use (40 degree crosswind).

As the FAA filed it

DURING LANDING ON RWY 32 A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO VEER LEFT STRIKING THE PAPI LIGHT WITH THE RIGHT WING, OUTBOARD OF THE FUEL TANK. THE SOLO STUDENT PILOT REGAINED CONTROL AND TAXIIED TO THE RAMP. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED BUT THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT WING. WIND REPORTED AT THE TIME WAS 280 DEGREES, 12 KNOTS, GUSTS TO 16 KNOTS. RUNWAY 32 IN USE (40 DEGREE CROSSWIND).

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB WPR22LA260Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportKelso, WAThe student pilot’s inadequate flare resulting in a loss of airplane control during landing with gusting wind conditions.Jul 12, 2022 · Substantial damage