Piper PA28 N610FT

Summary

On 11 May 2018 at about 13:10 local time, a Piper PA28 registered N610FT, operated by 2FLY Airborne, was involved in an accident near Merritt Island, Florida, United States. One person was 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

11 May 2018 at 13:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Merritt Island, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Merritt Island (COI)

Coordinates

28.3425, -80.6889

Aircraft

Piper PA28

Registration

N610FT

Category

Airplane

Year built

1989

Engines

1

Operator

2FLY Airborne

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Merritt Island → Merritt Island

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA18CA292

Nobody was injured.

The student pilot’s improper landing flare in tailwind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported that, during a solo flight, while landing, she encountered a wind gust that "tilted" the airplane right. She attempted to maintain centerline, but the left main landing gear touched down hard. She then taxied to park without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing spar. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located about 8 miles southeast of the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 290° at 3 knots. The student pilot landed the airplane on runway 11.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.