Aircraft excursion and nose-over during landing

Casualties unknown • Westcliffe, CO, US

An aircraft veered off the runway and nosed over into soft soil after the left main wheel caught on the pavement edge during a landing attempt.

What happened

The pilot reported entering a left downwind leg for runway 31. At the time, the windsock appeared limp, indicating winds favoring a direction down the runway from the northwest. The airplane touched down on the runway centerline approximately 1,000 feet past the threshold and initially began drifting to the right.

In an attempt to correct the drift, the pilot applied opposite rudder. This maneuver caused the airplane to drift left, resulting in the left main wheel exiting the runway edge. While the pilot was attempting to return the aircraft to the centerline, the left main wheel caught on the pavement edge. This contact caused the airplane to veer hard to the right.

The aircraft exited the right side of the runway between 1,200 and 1,500 feet past the threshold at a 40-degree angle. The aircraft then traveled down an embankment into soft soil, where it nosed over.

Probable cause

The pilot's attempt to correct a rightward drift with opposite rudder caused the left main wheel to leave the runway surface and catch on the pavement edge, leading to a loss of directional control and subsequent excursion off the runway.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1996-11-09 Piper PA-18-125 accident near Westcliffe, CO?

An aircraft veered off the runway and nosed over into soft soil after the left main wheel caught on the pavement edge during a landing attempt.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1996-11-09 involved a Piper PA-18-125, registration N1334A, at Westcliffe, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's attempt to correct a rightward drift with opposite rudder caused the left main wheel to leave the runway surface and catch on the pavement edge, leading to a loss of directional control and subsequent excursion off the runway.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X07030. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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