Piper PA 16 N49WV accident near Manchester, West Virginia

Probable cause

A vehicle's incursion onto an active runway, which resulted in an evasive action by the pilot landing an airplane on that runway and a subsequent runway excursion.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while on final approach, he noticed a vehicle stopped short of the runway on a road that intersected the runway. After touchdown, while taxiing and about 40 ft from the intersection, the vehicle slowly drove on the runway. The pilot veered the airplane left to avoid the vehicle, and the airplane exited the runway to the left.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and firewall.

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

The pilot added that he assumed that the driver could see the landing airplane.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA018 for the full record.