# NTSB ATL98LA015: Piper PA-28-161, N39995, Lawrenceville, GA, November 25, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 25, 1997, 11:55 local (16:55 UTC) - Place: Lawrenceville, GA - Location: 33.9842° N, 83.9465° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from GWINNETT COUNTY/BRISCOE FLD (LZU), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9842&lon=-83.9465&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 29, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3948 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3948/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA015 ## Probable cause failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane, during the landing roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis After completing two touch-and-go landings, the student intended to make the last landing a full stop landing. After touchdown on the third landing, the student believed the airplane was 'tipping' to the right. In an attempt to correct for this right 'tipping', the student applied left rudder. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway and collided with an embankment. According to an air traffic controller on the field, the airplane touched down and began to veer steadily to the left, approximately 30 to 45 degrees from runway heading. The airplane went off the runway approximately 1,500 to 2,000 feet from the approach end of the runway. ## Factual narrative On November 25, 1997, about 1155 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N39995, collided with a dirt embankment following a loss of control during landing at the Gwinnett County-Briscoe Field Airport, Lawrenceville, Georgia. The airplane was operated by The Flight School, Inc., under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the solo, instructional flight. There were no injuries to the student pilot, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was the Gwinnett County-Briscoe Field, about 1000, on the same day. According to the student pilot, he had completed 11 touch and go landings with his instructor earlier that day. He then was completing three landings as his first solo flight. After completing the first two touch and go landings, the student intended to make the last landing a full stop landing. After touchdown of the third landing, the student believed the airplane was "tipping" to the right. In an attempt to correct for this right "tipping", the student applied left rudder. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway and collided with an embankment. The right wing was twisted and buckled, resulting in substantial damage. The flight instructor of the student pilot was not able to see the airplane clearly, but stated that he did see it veer off the left side of the runway. According to the Air Traffic Controller on the field, the airplane touched down and began to veer steadily to the left, approximately 30 to 45 degrees from runway heading. The airplane left the runway approximately 1,500 to 2,000 feet from the approach end of the runway. The controller stated it did not appear that an attempt was made to correct the direction of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39995](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N39995), registered now, S/N 28-7916016, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-791-6016 - Airframe hours: 6709 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: The Flight School, Inc - Registered owner: Mark Chitwood - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 15, 1997, 42 hours before - Departed: LZU - Airport: LZU, Gwinnett County-Briscoe, runway 7, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 21 total, 21 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LZU, 1 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19971125034959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971125034959A), Nov 25, 1997: Piper PA28161, Lawrenceville, GA, Substantial damage. At end of landing roll, aircraft veered left off runway into an embankment.(-23) on November 25, 1997, at approximately 1155 local time, stephen b. hammock, a… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.