Piper PA28 N8056N accident near Bellefonte, Pennsylvania

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was conducting solo touch and go landings and on the fourth landing, the airplane was “blown” off the runway centerline on short final approach. She applied left rudder to return to the centerline, but upon touchdown, there was “…too much left rudder,” and the airplane veered to the left and departed the runway into the grass. The pilot did not apply brakes before impacting a gully and fence, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA21LA061 for the full record.