Piper PA 28 N9097U

Summary

On 14 October 2016 at about 14:28 local time, a Piper PA 28 registered N9097U, operated by Westmoreland Aviation Holding Co Inc, was involved in an accident near Latrobe, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 October 2016 at 14:28

Classification

Accident

Location

Latrobe, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Arnold Palmer Rgnl (LBE)

Coordinates

40.2731, -79.4103

Aircraft

Piper PA 28

Registration

N9097U

Category

Airplane

Year built

1985

Engines

1

Operator

Westmoreland Aviation Holding Co Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Latrobe → Latrobe

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA026

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s unstabilized approach, which resulted in the airplane’s wing striking the ground while the pilot was maneuvering to realign with the runway.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while on right downwind and after being cleared for a touch-and-go landing, the tower controller instructed him to make a short approach. The pilot further reported that, during approach, the airplane was to the left of the runway, so he attempted to correct to the right, and "believe[s] that…[he] had applied full right rudder." Subsequently, the right wing impacted the ground and the airplane cart-wheeled. The right wing separated from the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported as a safety recommendation that the accident could have been prevented if he had executed a go-around.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.