NTSB Factual Report

On July 4, 2018, about 0930 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N8314W, was substantially damaged while landing at Thomaston-Upson County Airport (OPN), Thomaston, Georgia. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which originated from Griffin-Spalding County Airport (6A2), Griffin, Georgia, around 0900. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the pilot, he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane with no anomalies noted. After departure, he completed one full stop landing at 6A2, before departing for OPN. While on final approach to runway 12, he configured the airplane for landing and lined up with the centerline of the runway. The main landing gear touched down on the runway numbers, and when the nose landing gear contacted the runway, the airplane veered to the left. The pilot attempted to counteract the turn by applying rudder, however, the airplane continued to the left side of the runway. The right wing tip touched the pavement, the propeller struck the runway, and the nose landing gear wheel separated as the airplane continued off the runway. The airplane came to rest about 75 ft off the left side of runway in a grassy area.

Examination of the airplane after the accident revealed that an engine mount was substantially damaged, and the nose landing gear and right wing incurred minor damage during the accident sequence.

The nose wheel tire and attachment assembly were retained for further examination.