Piper PA 28-140 N7494R accident near North Pole, Alaska

Probable cause

The student pilot’s loss of directional control during landing with a tailwind, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with trees.

NTSB analysis

The student pilot was conducting a local flight with a passenger on board. The passenger stated that they had overflown a moose hunting area and were returning to the departure airport for landing. After touchdown and during the landing roll, the airplane veered left, then right, then left again before departing the runway and impacting a stand of birch trees. He stated that the airplane seemed to fly great and that he was not aware of, nor did the pilot discuss, any mechanical anomalies or malfunctions during the flight. Due to injuries sustained in the accident, the student pilot was unable to remember the accident sequence.

A pilot-rated witness reported that he observed the airplane on final approach with about an 8- to 10-knot tailwind and noted that the airplane appeared to be a "little fast." He stated that, after touchdown, the airplane veered left, then right, then sharply left again before exiting the runway, corroborating the passenger's statement. The examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC15LA069 for the full record.