Piper PA28 N400JW accident near Van Nuys, California

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, during the landing flare on runway 16L, he felt a wind gust from the right. To counter the gust, he applied left rudder and right aileron to lower the right wing. When the nose landing gear touched down on the runway, the airplane veered left, and he applied "minimal right steering and braking" to avoid overcorrecting and colliding with an airplane that was landing on runway 16R. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway and struck a taxiway sign before it came to a stop.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

The airport's METAR reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was calm.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA580 for the full record.