Piper PA-28-161
Vero Beach, FL, May 24, 2008
Event Information
| Date | May 24, 2008 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| Location | Vero Beach, FL |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 27.65556, -80.41805 |
| Airport | Vero Beach Municiple Airport |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
| NTSB Number | NYC08CA193 |
| Event ID | 20080709X00992 |
Aircraft
| Make | Piper |
| Model | PA-28-161 |
| Registration # | N9245Q |
| Owner | Flight Safety Academy |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was a crosswind.
Full Narrative
According to the solo student pilot of the Piper PA-28-161, he initiated a takeoff on runway 29L, a 7,314-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway. As the airplane reached an airspeed of 55 knots, he felt the right wing "drop toward the runway." The airplane pivoted to the left and departed the runway into the grass. The right wing and the right side of the nose section impacted a taxiway sign. The right main landing gear assembly separated from the airplane, damaging an adjacent wing rib. The student pilot and an instructor flew the airplane on the previous flight, practiced takeoffs and landings, and reported no anomalies with the airplane. The student pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies during the accident flight. The reported wind at the airport, about the time of the accident, was from 260 degrees at 9 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.