Piper PA 28R-200 N3811M accident near Sedona, Arizona

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll.

NTSB analysis

The pilot departed his local airport for a personal cross-country flight. The runway at the landing airport was oriented north/south. The pilot stated that the weather at the time of his arrival was clear with calm wind, and that under those conditions aircraft generally land and takeoff to the north since the runway slopes upward in that direction. However, that day, aircraft in the traffic pattern were landing and taking off to the south. The pilot made a decision to follow the direction of prevailing traffic, flying and landing to the south. After landing, he applied the brakes to compensate for the sloped terrain. At the same time, the left wheel rolled over unidentified debris on the runway, which caused the pilot to lose directional control. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway, sustaining substantial damage to the left wing. 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 WPR15CA078 for the full record.