The student pilot reported that following a solo cross-country flight, during landing he became complacent, and did not compensate for the right crosswind.
The Piper PA24 exited the left side of the runway at the airport in Slaton, Texas, and crossed over the taxiway. The right main landing gear then collapsed. Subsequently, the right wing and the stabilator struck the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the stabilator.
The student reported that the wind about the time of the accident was from 220° at 9 knots. The airplane landed on Runway 18.
The student reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The student pilot’s complacency, which led to his improper crosswind correction and subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and ground collision.
This February 2019 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
I generally prefer to land Xwind on one wheel (up wind side) then let the other lite to the runway keeping the nose high, then drop the nose to the runway. The Piper PA24 has those direct linkage steering rods unlike the bungees of the Beech and Cessna models which are more complacent with runway alignment.
What was this pilot’s landing speed when the wheels touched down? They were likely well above the stall speed of the airplane. This excessive airspeed and kinetic energy greatly contributes to the wheels swerving and getting out of control. Landing at stall speed would have probably saved the day with no airplane excursion! No one ever mentions this serious landing defect!
What was this pilot’s landing speed when the wheels touched down? They were likely well above the stall speed of the airplane. This excessive speed and kinetic energy greatly contributes to the wheels swerving and getting out of control. Landing at stall speed would have probably saved the day with no excursion! No one mentions this serious landing defect!
Very few pilots at all levels understand how to make X wind departures and landings. This comes about from generations of two hundred hour CFIs. They know all about the aerodynamics of the wing and flight controls but not how to apply them. They just do what they are taught.