Piper PA-28-181 N984D accident near Millbrook, New York

Probable cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing and the pilot’s inadequate remedial action, which resulted in a runway excursion.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot, who was not a flight instructor, allowed the student pilot to fly the airplane from the left front seat after the student pilot purchased the airplane. The student pilot and the private pilot departed and then landed at an intermediate airport. They returned to the airplane, conducted a thorough preflight inspection and departed to their destination airport. While landing at the destination airport, the student pilot applied uneven brakes and the airplane veered to the left, striking the runway lights. The private pilot also applied brakes and informed the student pilot to reduce the power. The student pilot then added full power and the airplane departed the left side of the runway before colliding with a tree. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing. The private pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11CA271 for the full record.