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WPR23LA119

2023-02-15 · Fullerton, California, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport KFUL

Current FAA registration · N8318C

Make / Model
PIPER PA-28-151
Engine
LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19760102
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S AB5F84

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing roll and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in an impact with an obstacle.

Factual narrative

The flight instructor reported that while practicing crosswind landings a gust of wind pushed the airplane left. The flight instructor took the controls and applied right rudder and added power to go around, but the airplane impacted a taxiway sign before it transitioned into a climb. According to the instructor, the airplane did not exhibit any abnormal flight characteristics once airborne. After communicating with air traffic control, they returned to the airplane base where substantial damage was found to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained
  • — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Delayed action-Instructor/check pilot
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2023_WPR23LA119.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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Related research

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