NTSB Factual Report

On January 14, 2004, at 1217 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-181 single engine airplane, N4160A, collided with a series of objects following a loss of directional control while on the landing roll at the Scottsdale Airport (SDL), Scottsdale, Arizona. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, Sabena Airline Training Center, Inc., under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The local instructional flight originated at 1200. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed.

In a written statement, the student pilot reported that he was attempting to perform practice touch-and-go takeoffs and landings on runway 03. During the first attempt, the airplane touched down normally, and the nose gear was on centerline. While on landing roll, he encountered a strong crosswind. The airplane veered to the left and the right, and then the main landing gear collided with a runway holding position sign. The airplane continued over the taxiway and collided with a hanger. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident.

In a telephone conversation, the student's certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that he witnessed the accident. He had authorized the student to practice touch-and-go takeoffs and landings for his first solo flight. After landing, the airplane began to accelerate, and he noticed that the flaps were not in the retracted position. With the nose still on the ground, the main gear lifted off the runway, and the airplane "wheel-barrowed."

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector responded to the accident scene. He reported that after attempting the takeoff portion of a touch-and-go, the student pilot failed to retract the flaps. The nose wheel remained in contact with the runway after the main landing gear lifted off, and the airplane swerved to the left. The airplane, with both main landing gear airborne, veered off to the left side of the runway. The right main landing gear collided with a taxiway identifier sign, breaking the sign off its surface mounts. The airplane continued across the dirt infield and the parallel taxiway until the wingtip collided with a bay door on a tee hangar. It continued on to the next bay of the same hangar and collided with a parked, unoccupied airplane.

An aviation routine weather report (METAR) for SDL at 1227 reported winds from 100 degrees at 3 knots, and visibility at 10 statute miles.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control on the takeoff roll. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to retract the flaps.