Piper PA-28R-200 N40800

Summary

On 26 May 2010 at about 20:15 local time, a Piper PA-28R-200 registered N40800, operated by Pinnacle Aviation Academy, was involved in an accident near St. George, Utah, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 May 2010 at 20:15

Classification

Accident

Location

St. George, Utah, United States

Nearest airport

St. George Municipal (KSGU)

Coordinates

37.0906, -113.5931

Aircraft

Piper PA-28R-200

Registration

N40800

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Pinnacle Aviation Academy

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Las Vegas → St. George

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR10CA266

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control during landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he and a passenger flew to St. George on a scenic flight. When approaching St. George, the pilot reported that the wind was generally from the south to southwest; however, with each weather report update the wind direction and speed varied, and the winds were gusty. On final approach, the pilot noted that he needed a significant amount of left rudder and right aileron pressure to maintain alignment with the center line of the runway. Just before landing, the pilot released some of the right aileron pressure and the airplane drifted left of the runway centerline. When the main gear touched the ground the pilot applied full right aileron pressure. At that time, the airplane briefly lifted off the ground again and the nose turned to the left. The airplane began to veer off the left side of the runway into the dirt on the side of the runway towards a set of hangars. The pilot stated that he thought about performing a go-around, but did not think he would have cleared the hangar. At this point the pilot applied the brakes to stop the airplane but impacted the hangar. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.