On February 12, 1997, a Piper PA-28R-200 (registration N15013) operated by Mark L. Palmer was involved in an aviation accident near Winston Salem, NC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional cntrol of the airplane, which resulted in a ground swerve and collapse of the right main landing gear. The crosswind was a related factor. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a touch-and-go landing on runway 4, the airplane veered right after touchdown, collapsing the right main landing gear and damaging the right wing spar. The pilot reported brake difficulty, but no mechanical issues were found.
Incident Overview
A touch-and-go landing on runway 4 resulted in the airplane veering off the right side of the runway shortly after touchdown. The subsequent uncontrolled movement led to the collapse of the right main landing gear and damage to the right wing spar.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot, during the landing roll he experienced difficulty with the brakes. This contributed to the airplane veering off the runway into a grassy area adjacent to the runway.
Weather Conditions
Weather data indicated that the prevailing wind at the time was from 320 degrees at 7 knots.
Post-Incident Examination
An examination of the airplane's brake system failed to disclose any mechanical problems. The exact cause of the veer-off was not determined from the available information.
Damage Assessment
The right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing spar sustained damage. The extent of other damage was not reported.