Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he performed a "good" landing; however, after touchdown the airplane veered to the left. He applied right rudder and right brake, but was unsuccessful in regaining control of the airplane. The left wing lifted and the right wingtip struck the ground spinning the airplane clockwise to the right. The airplane came to rest after the left wing also struck the ground and the airplane settled back on its landing gear. The pilot reported to police after the accident that he "lost control of the aircraft" during landing and slid into a ditch. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to both wings and the nose landing gear clevis pin was sheared. Further examination of the landing gear and steering control system revealed overstress fractures to the rod end and clevis pin, and no evidence of a pre-impact failure.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09LA547 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 27, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Glen St. Mary, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Cuyler Field Airport (FD27)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-28-180
- N-number
- N7720W
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.