# NTSB GAA18CA121: Piper PA28, N8475W, Metter, GA, February 5, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 5, 2018, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Metter, GA
- Coordinates: 32.373889, -82.079719 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3739&lon=-82.0797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 14, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 96714
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96714/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96714
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA121

## Probable cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The student pilot reported that, during landing, he added "too much left rudder and/or brake," and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway and struck a taxiway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The student pilot reported that, during landing, he added "too much left rudder and/or brake", and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway and struck a taxiway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8475W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8475W), registered now, S/N 28-2717, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (180)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-2717
- Year built: 1965
- Airframe hours: 5953
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 9, 2018
- Departed: MHP, Metter, GA
- Destination: MHP, Metter, GA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MHP, Metter Muni, runway 28, 5,001 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 36; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 86 total, 30 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: KCWV, 15 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 20180205002019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180205002019A), Feb 5, 2018: Piper PA-28-180, Metter, GA, Substantial damage. On 02/05/2018 aircraft N8475W departed Metter Municipal Airport to perform take-off and landings. At approximately 10:45 am. The student pilot was landing on…

## Other investigations on N8475W (1)

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.

- [NTSB IAD70FIA08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD70FIA08), Apr 8, 1970: Piper PA-28 (N8475W), Baileys X Road, VA, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 29, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96714. 936 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 828 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461407&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Picture (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461408&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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.

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