Piper PA 20
Dayton, OH — July 14, 2018
Event Information
| Date | July 14, 2018 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA18CA426 |
| Event ID | 20180714X70326 |
| Location | Dayton, OH |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 39.58889, -84.22472 |
| Airport | Dayton-Wright Brothers |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Piper |
| Model | PA 20 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for variable crosswind conditions during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Full Narrative
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during the flare, he felt a wind shift push the airplane left of centerline. He applied opposite rudder, but the airplane touched down "skewed", pointed to the right. The airplane then exited the runway to the right and ground looped on the adjacent field.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot reported that the wind was variable at 6 knots at the accident site. He added that during the short final leg of the approach, the wind was from about 210º and the wind shifted to about 280º during the flare. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 20 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 310º at 9 knots and about 30 minutes after of the accident, the wind was from 180° at 8 knots. The airplane landed on runway 20.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.