NTSB Factual Report

On May 13, 2004, about 0700 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N7584W, collided with a wall after an aborted touch-and-go landing from Carson Airport, Carson City, Nevada. The owner, who lent the airplane to the pilot, was operating it under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The local solo instructional flight departed Carson City about 0645. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) accident coordinator interviewed a witness who observed the airplane during landing and takeoff. He stated that the airplane appeared to make a low approach. After what appeared to be a go-around or a bounce on landing, the pilot added power and drifted to the left of the runway's centerline. The airplane became airborne and departed the runway. The airplane had some pitch oscillations, and the pilot began to lower the nose. The airplane continued to fly over the taxiway, clearing the airport boundary fence. It crossed over a road, clipping trees in the median, and collided with a cement wall and shed on the other side of the wall.

The pilot held a student pilot certificate issued June17, 2003. He soloed on April 16, 2004. He had about 45 total hours and about 3 hours solo.

Technicians examined the wreckage June 2, 2004, at a secure facility at the Carson City Fire Department, under the supervision of the FAA. The right wing partially separated from the fuselage. Recovery personnel completely removed it, and cut the aileron cables. Except for that, control continuity was confirmed to all controls. The flaps were retracted and the fuel selector was to the left tank. Fueling records at El Aero Services, Inc., established that the airplane was last fueled on April 26, 2004, with the addition of 33.5 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel. Fuel was present at the accident site; however, the tanks were breached and a quantity could not be determined. The last annual was on May 10, 2004. The last annual conducted prior to that was on May 9, 2001.

The closest official weather observation station was Reno, Nevada (RNO), which was 18 nautical miles (nm) north of the accident site. An aviation routine weather report (METAR) for RNO was issued at 0656. It stated: winds from 300 degrees at 5 knots; visibility 10 miles; skies 25,000 feet few; temperature 8 degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit; dew point 2 degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit; altimeter 30.15 inHg.

The pilot failed to submit a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2).

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted touch-and-go landing.