On February 7, 2000, a Grumman American AA1 (registration N9555U) operated by Hortman Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Wildwood, NJ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in the airplane veering off the runway and striking a snow bank. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A student pilot veered right upon landing on a 4,998-foot runway and struck a snow bank. Winds were reported at 11 knots with gusts to 16 knots at the time of the incident.
What happened
The accident occurred while a student pilot was attempting to land an aircraft on Runway 28. The runway in question is paved with asphalt and measures 4,998 feet in length with a width of 150 feet. Upon initial contact with the pavement, the airplane touched down along the centerline of the strip. Shortly after touchdown, the aircraft began to drift toward the right side of the runway.
Despite efforts to maintain directional control, the airplane departed the paved surface on the right side. It subsequently impacted a snow bank located adjacent to the runway edge. Meteorological data reported at the airport around the time of the accident indicated winds coming from 250 degrees at a speed of 11 knots, with gusts reaching up to 16 knots.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in the airplane veering off the runway and striking a snow bank.