On September 24, 2015, a PIPER PA 28 161 operated by SKYWARD AVIATION INC was involved in an aviation accident near Van Nuys, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to compensate for turbulence during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and runway excursion. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A student pilot reported encountering wake turbulence from a hovering helicopter during the landing flare, leading to a hard landing, runway excursion, and collision with a runway sign.
Incident Details
A student pilot reported that during the landing flare, the airplane was "hit with the first blast of wake turbulence" from a helicopter that was hovering on a helipad located to the left of the runway. The airplane subsequently landed hard, exited the runway to the right, and collided with a runway sign.
Weather Conditions
According to the Meteorological Terminal Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at the airport, the temperature was 99 degrees Fahrenheit, and the wind was variable at 4 knots.
Location
The helicopter pad was located over 400 feet to the east of the location where the pilot reported encountering the blast of wake turbulence.
Contributing factors
PilotLanding flare — Not attained/maintainedLateral/bank control — Not attained/maintainedEffect on operation
What happened in the 24 Sept 2015 PIPER PA 28 161 accident near Van Nuys, CA?
A student pilot reported encountering wake turbulence from a hovering helicopter during the landing flare, leading to a hard landing, runway excursion, and collision with a runway sign.
Were there any fatalities in the 24 Sept 2015 PIPER PA 28 161 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 24 Sept 2015 involved a PIPER PA 28 161, operated by SKYWARD AVIATION INC, at Van Nuys, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to compensate for turbulence during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and runway excursion.
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