Piper PA-28-161, N158ND, registered to and operated by FlightSafety International Inc: Accident occurred March 02, 2018 at Vero Beach Regional Airport (KVRB), Indian River County, Florida

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Orlando, Florida

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N158ND

Analysis 

The solo student pilot reported that, during approach, he was above the glideslope after adding full flaps, so he lowered the nose to lose altitude. He added that he "brought a little more speed than intended" into ground effect and the airplane yawed to the left. He overcorrected to the right. The airplane touched down to the right of the runway centerline with the nose pointed 45° to the left. The student attempted to maintain directional control, but the airplane exited the runway to the right and the right wing struck a runway sign. The student pilot taxied back onto the runway and to the parking ramp without further incident.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

The chief flight instructor of the flight school reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 37 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 360° at 6 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 23 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 030° at 11 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The airplane landed on runway 04. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The student pilot's failure to maintain a stabilized approach, which resulted in overcorrection with the rudder during the landing, loss of control, and a runway excursion.

Findings

Aircraft
Descent/approach/glide path - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Student pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Sign/marker - Effect on equipment
Sign/marker - Contributed to outcome

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
Attempted remediation/recovery

Landing-landing roll
Loss of control on ground
Runway excursion
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Location: Vero Beach, FL
Accident Number: GAA18CA204
Date & Time: 03/02/2018, 1230 EST
Registration: N158ND
Aircraft: PIPER PA28
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

The solo student pilot reported that, during approach, he was above the glide slope after adding full flaps, so he lowered the nose to lose altitude. He added that he "brought a little more speed than intended" into ground effect and the airplane yawed to the left. He over corrected to the right. The airplane touched down to the right of the runway centerline with the nose pointed 45° to the left. The student attempted to maintain directional control, but the airplane exited the runway to the right and the right wing struck a runway sign. The student pilot taxied back onto the runway and to the parking ramp without further incident.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

The Chief Flight Instructor of the flight school reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 37 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 360° at 6 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 23 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 030° at 11 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The airplane landed on runway 04. 

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 35, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/07/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 30 hours (Total, all aircraft), 30 hours (Total, this make and model), 7 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 30 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 30 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: PIPER
Registration: N158ND
Model/Series: PA28 161
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1998
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Utility
Serial Number: 2842030
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/27/2018, AAIP
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2447 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 11442 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320-D3G
Registered Owner: FLIGHT SAFETY INTERNATIONAL INC
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator: FLIGHT SAFETY INTERNATIONAL INC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KVRB, 28 ft msl
Observation Time: 1653 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 140°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 15°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots, 360°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.08 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: OKEECHOBEE, FL (OBE)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: Vero Beach, FL (VRB)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1205 EST
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: VERO BEACH RGNL (VRB)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 23 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 04
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4974 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Straight-in 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  27.653889, -80.422778 (est)