# NTSB GAA18CA292: Piper PA28, N610FT, Merritt Island, FL, May 11, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 11, 2018, 09:10 local (13:10 UTC) - Place: Merritt Island, FL - Coordinates: 28.3425, -80.688888 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3425&lon=-80.6889&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 24, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97305 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA292 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97305/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97305 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA292 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s improper landing flare in tailwind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that, during a solo flight, while landing, she encountered a wind gust that "tilted" the airplane right. She attempted to maintain centerline, but the left main landing gear touched down hard. She then taxied to park without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing spar. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located about 8 miles southeast of the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 290° at 3 knots. The student pilot landed the airplane on runway 11. ## Factual narrative The student pilot reported that, during a solo flight, while landing, she encountered a gust of wind that "tilted" the airplane to the right. She attempted to maintain centerline, but the left main landing gear touched down hard. She then taxied to park without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located about 8 miles to the southeast of the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 290° at 3 knots. The student pilot landed on runway 11. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N610FT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N610FT-2019-03-27), registration cancelled 2019-03-27, S/N 2841221, built 1989 (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: 2841221 - Year built: 1989 - Airframe hours: 16403 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: 2fly Airborne - Registered owner: American Air Academy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 2018 - Departed: COI, Merritt Island, FL - Destination: COI, Merritt Island, FL - Airport: COI, Merritt Island, runway 11, 3,601 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 21; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 32 total, 32 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KCOF, 8 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 20180511005229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180511005229A), May 11, 2018: Piper PA-28-161, Merritt Island, FL, Substantial damage. The student pilot was rptdly on her 4th solo flt practicing touch and go landings on rwy 11 when the acft landed hard on the lt main ldg gear. The acft taxied… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97305. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466333&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 168 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466334&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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.