No fatalities

Student Pilot Veers Off Runway After Wind Shift During Landing Practice (N280TC)

Dickinson, ND, US

On May 10, 1997, a Piper PA-28-140 (registration N280TC) was involved in an aviation accident near Dickinson, ND. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the student pilots failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's runway selection. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot experienced a runway excursion after a sudden wind shift during touch-and-go landing practice, resulting in nose gear collapse and wing strike.

Flight Details

A student pilot was conducting touch-and-go landing practice on runway 25. During the session, the pilot contacted Unicom for a weather check and was informed that the winds had changed. Consequently, the pilot decided to land on runway 32 instead.

Accident Sequence

On final approach to runway 32, the pilot reported that the winds shifted back to 250 degrees. As the airplane touched down, the left wing rose, and the aircraft veered off the side of the runway. The airplane continued into the grass, where the nose gear collapsed and the right wing contacted the terrain.

Weather Conditions

Local winds were reported as 240 degrees at 15 knots, recorded 13 minutes after the accident.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 10 May 1997 Piper PA-28-140 accident near Dickinson, ND?

A student pilot experienced a runway excursion after a sudden wind shift during touch-and-go landing practice, resulting in nose gear collapse and wing strike.

Were there any fatalities in the 10 May 1997 Piper PA-28-140 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 10 May 1997 involved a Piper PA-28-140, registration N280TC, at Dickinson, ND.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the student pilots failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's runway selection.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X07868. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.