Piper PA-28-180
Rifle, CO — April 20, 2008
Event Information
| Date | April 20, 2008 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | DFW08CA124 |
| Event ID | 20080506X00599 |
| Location | Rifle, CO |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 39.52222, -107.72278 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Piper |
| Model | PA-28-180 |
| 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 failure to maintain control of the airplane on landing. A factor was the crosswind and wind gusts.
Full Narrative
The 52-year-old private pilot was attempting to land his single-engine, low-wing airplane on Runway 26 with a crosswind. While on final approach, at a speed of 90 mph, he encountered wind shear, which resulted in a sudden loss of airspeed. The airplane then made a slight bounce on the runway, before another gust of wind picked up the left wing and blew the airplane off the runway into the dirt. Subsequently, the right wing contacted the ground resulting in substantial damage. The propeller and the nose gear were also damaged. The wind at the time was reported from 220 degrees at 19 knots gusting to 33 knots.
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.