On 7 Oct 2018, a Piper PA 16 No Series was involved in an aviation accident near Manchester, WV. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A vehicle's incursion onto an active runway, which resulted in an evasive action by the pilot landing an airplane on that runway and a subsequent runway excursion. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane veered left off the runway after touchdown to avoid a vehicle that drove onto the runway from an intersecting road, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and firewall.
Incident Details
The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that while on final approach, he observed a vehicle stopped short of the runway on a road that intersects the runway. After touchdown, during taxi, and approximately 40 feet from the intersection, the vehicle slowly drove onto the runway. To avoid a collision, the pilot turned the airplane to the left, causing the aircraft to exit the left side of the runway into an adjacent field.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and firewall as a result of the excursion.
Pilot Remarks
The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have prevented normal operation. He also noted that he assumed the driver of the vehicle had visual sight of the landing airplane.