No fatalities

Single-Engine Airplane Damaged in Crosswind Landing Incident

Rifle, CO, United States

On April 20, 2008, a Piper PA-28-180 operated by Jack J. Davis DDS was involved in an aviation accident near Rifle, CO. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane on landing. A factor was the crosswind and wind gusts. 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 private pilot encountered wind shear during landing, resulting in a bounce and a gust blowing the airplane off the runway into dirt, causing substantial damage to the wing, propeller, and nose gear.

Incident Overview

A 52-year-old private pilot was attempting to land a single-engine, low-wing airplane on Runway 26. Wind conditions at the time were reported from 220 degrees at 19 knots, gusting to 33 knots.

Sequence of Events

During the final approach at a speed of 90 mph, the airplane encountered wind shear, leading to a sudden loss of airspeed. The airplane then made a slight bounce on the runway. Subsequently, another gust of wind lifted the left wing and blew the airplane off the runway into the adjacent dirt area.

Damage Assessment

After the airplane departed the runway, the right wing contacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage. Additionally, the propeller and the nose gear were damaged.

Pilot and Aircraft Information

The pilot, aged 52, held a private pilot certificate. The accident airplane was a single-engine, low-wing design, though the specific make and model were not disclosed.

Contributing factors

Causes

Pilot

Other contributing factors

CrosswindGusts

All Piper PA-28 Cherokee accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 20 Apr 2008 Piper PA-28-180 accident near Rifle, CO?

A private pilot encountered wind shear during landing, resulting in a bounce and a gust blowing the airplane off the runway into dirt, causing substantial damage to the wing, propeller, and nose gear.

Were there any fatalities in the 20 Apr 2008 Piper PA-28-180 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 20 Apr 2008 involved a Piper PA-28-180, operated by Jack J. Davis DDS, at Rifle, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane on landing. A factor was the crosswind and wind gusts.