No fatalities

Piper PA-30 Runway Excursion During Landing

Atlanta, GA, United States

On February 19, 2008, a Piper PA-30 was involved in an aviation accident near Atlanta, GA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A Piper PA-30 veered right during landing rollout when the right brake grabbed, exited the runway into a ditch, and sustained damage. Postaccident examination revealed no preimpact malfunctions.

Accident Overview

The pilot of a Piper PA-30 was landing on runway 20L, a 6,001-foot-long, 100-foot-wide concrete runway. During the landing rollout, the pilot reported that when he applied brakes, the right brake "grabbed," causing the airplane to immediately veer to the right. The aircraft continued off the right side of the runway, across a taxiway, and subsequently entered a ditch.

Damage

The airplane sustained damage to the nose, landing gear, right wing, and both propellers.

Examination

A postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact malfunctions. Additionally, no flat spots or unusual wear patterns were observed on the right main landing gear tire.

Weather Conditions

Winds reported at the airport around the time of the accident were from 230 degrees at 12 knots.

Contributing factors

Causes

Directional control — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Terrain

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 19 Feb 2008 Piper PA-30 accident near Atlanta, GA?

A Piper PA-30 veered right during landing rollout when the right brake grabbed, exited the runway into a ditch, and sustained damage. Postaccident examination revealed no preimpact malfunctions.

Were there any fatalities in the 19 Feb 2008 Piper PA-30 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 19 Feb 2008 involved a Piper PA-30, at Atlanta, GA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.