On May 29, 2004, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N2484A) was involved in an aviation accident near Carthage, MS. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the student pilot to maintain control of the airplane resulting in the airplane departing the runway and impacting with terrain. A factor related to this accident was the student pilot's lack of total flight experience. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A student pilot reported that after a normal touchdown on runway 17, a gust from 260 degrees pushed the aircraft into an adjacent ravine where a downdraft forced it into the ground, causing substantial damage.
Accident Details
The student pilot stated that he overflew the airport prior to landing and noted the wind was directly down runway 17. His approach to runway 17 was good, with touchdown occurring on the centerline at 60 knots. Just as he touched down, a gust of wind from 260 degrees blew him into a ravine adjacent to the left side of the runway. A downdraft in the ravine forced the airplane into the ground, incurring substantial damage.
Mechanical Status
The student pilot did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident.
Weather Observation
A METAR weather observation taken 24 minutes after the accident from the Jackson International Airport (JAN) indicates that the wind was variable at 5 knots gusting to 15 knots. The JAN airport is located approximately 39 nautical miles and 223 degrees from the accident airport.