Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot was conducting a solo flight during which he was practicing full-stop landings. During his third landing, the nosewheel bounced. He added power to regain control of the airplane, but the airplane veered off the left side of the runway and continued down an embankment before coming to a stop. Examination of the airplane revealed buckling of the firewall and engine mount.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane. The accident is consistent with the pilot’s loss of directional control during his attempted recovery from a bounced landing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA19TA195 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 6, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Westminster, Maryland
- Nearest airport
- Carroll County Rgnl/Jack B Poa (DMW)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA28
- N-number
- N9476R
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1978
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.