Piper PA28 N5776W accident near Simsbury, Connecticut

Probable cause

The automobile driver's incursion onto an active runway, which resulted in a collision with a landing airplane.

NTSB analysis

The flight instructor reported that, while the student pilot was landing, a car drove onto the runway and struck the left wing. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over. The vehicle's driver reported that he stopped at the entrance of the runway and looked left and right to make sure it was clear. While crossing the runway, he heard glass shatter and felt a heavy impact. He did not see the airplane until after the collision. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA20CA094 for the full record.