On September 20, 1987, a Piper PA-28-180 (registration N7896W) was involved in an aviation accident near Tucson, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll due to a right crosswind, which resulted in the aircraft veering off the runway and striking a tree. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A Piper PA-28-180 veered off the left side of runway 15 during landing roll due to a right crosswind, striking a tree that severed the left wing. No maintenance issues were reported prior to departure.
What happened
A Piper PA-28-180 experienced a runway excursion during the landing phase of flight. The pilot reported encountering a right crosswind while in the landing roll on runway 15. This wind condition caused the aircraft to veer off the left side of the paved surface.
Following the departure from the runway, the aircraft's left wing impacted a tree. The force of the collision resulted in the severing of the left wing from the fuselage. There were no un resolved maintenance discrepancies or mechanical malfunctions reported against the aircraft prior to its departure.
Findings
The investigation identified several contributing factors to the accident sequence:
Right crosswind encountered during the landing roll
Runway excursion to the left side of runway 15
Impact with a tree resulting in structural separation of the left wing
Weather observation data from a station located 20 nautical miles south of the accident site indicated winds from 260 degrees at 4 knots.
The pilot's account of the crosswind conditions during the landing roll aligns with the observed weather data. The lack of prior maintenance discrepancies suggests the event was not caused by mechanical failure.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll due to a right crosswind, which resulted in the aircraft veering off the runway and striking a tree.
What happened in the 20 Sept 1987 Piper PA-28-180 accident near Tucson, AZ?
A Piper PA-28-180 veered off the left side of runway 15 during landing roll due to a right crosswind, striking a tree that severed the left wing. No maintenance issues were reported prior to departure.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 20 Sept 1987 involved a Piper PA-28-180, registration N7896W, at Tucson, AZ.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll due to a right crosswind, which resulted in the aircraft veering off the runway and striking a tree.
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