On 26 Aug 2015, a PIPER PA 28-180 180 operated by SOUTHERN MEDIA PARTNERS LLC was involved in an aviation accident near DeFuniak Springs, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion, and collision with a ditch. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During landing roll, the airplane drifted left, departed the runway, and the nose gear collapsed after impacting a ditch. The pilot reported a 9-knot crosswind and no mechanical failures.
Incident Overview
A pilot reported that during the landing roll, it felt as if "air got under the wing," causing the airplane to drift to the left. The airplane departed the runway surface and entered the grass at approximately 40 miles per hour.
Sequence of Events
After leaving the runway, the airplane crossed over a parallel taxiway. The nose gear then impacted a storm water ditch and collapsed. The firewall sustained substantial damage.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot, the wind reported by the airport automated surface observing system around the time of the accident was from 350 degrees true at 9 knots, resulting in a 9-knot crosswind component. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Contributing factors
Causes
PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained