# NTSB GAA18CA204: Piper PA28, N158ND, Vero Beach, FL, March 2, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 2, 2018, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Vero Beach, FL - Coordinates: 27.653888, -80.422775 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6539&lon=-80.4228&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97003 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA204 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97003/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97003 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA204 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain a stabilized approach, which resulted in overcorrection with the rudder during the landing, loss of control, and a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [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-28-161, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102803), [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-28-161, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102803), [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-28-161, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=7102803), [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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot reported that, during approach, he was above the glideslope after adding full flaps, so he lowered the nose to lose altitude. He added that he "brought a little more speed than intended" into ground effect and the airplane yawed to the left. He overcorrected to the right. The airplane touched down to the right of the runway centerline with the nose pointed 45° to the left. The student attempted to maintain directional control, but the airplane exited the runway to the right and the right wing struck a runway sign. The student pilot taxied back onto the runway and to the parking ramp without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The chief flight instructor of the flight school reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 37 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 360° at 6 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 23 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 030° at 11 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The airplane landed on runway 04. ## Factual narrative The solo student pilot reported that, during approach, he was above the glide slope after adding full flaps, so he lowered the nose to lose altitude. He added that he "brought a little more speed than intended" into ground effect and the airplane yawed to the left. He over corrected to the right. The airplane touched down to the right of the runway centerline with the nose pointed 45° to the left. The student attempted to maintain directional control, but the airplane exited the runway to the right and the right wing struck a runway sign. The student pilot taxied back onto the runway and to the parking ramp without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The Chief Flight Instructor of the flight school reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 37 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 360° at 6 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 23 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 030° at 11 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The airplane landed on runway 04. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N158ND](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N158ND), registered now, S/N 2842030, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (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: 2842030 - Year built: 1998 - Airframe hours: 11442 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Flight Safety International Inc - Registered owner: Flight Safety International Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, February 27, 2018 - Departed: OBE, OKEECHOBEE, FL - Destination: VRB, Vero Beach, FL - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: VRB, Vero Beach Rgnl, runway 04, 4,974 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Angle of attack indicator ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 35; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 30 total, 30 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KVRB ## 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 20180302001369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180302001369A), Mar 2, 2018: Piper PA-28-161, Vero Beach, FL, Substantial damage. On March 2, 2018 at about 1230 pm the student pilot attempted a light crosswind landing on runway 4 at the Vero Beach, Florida airport. During the flare to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 12, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97003. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463875&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 309 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463876&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-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. --- 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.