NTSB Factual Report

On July 18, 2001, approximately 1900 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N4231T, registered to and operated by Whidbey Island Navy Flying Club as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, landed hard at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, Oak Harbor, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the certified flight instructor and private pilot were not injured. The flight was scheduled for a 1.5 hour flight in the local area with a stop at Bremerton, Washington.

The manager of the flying club reported that the accident aircraft was sequenced in the pattern with a Navy P-3 (Lockheed 4-engine) aircraft that was doing touch-and-go landings. When the accident aircraft was on short final to runway 25, the aircraft "rolled violently to the right (60-90 degrees)." The pilot attempted to recover from the roll, however, during the maneuver, the right wing struck the runway surface. The aircraft touched down, collapsing the nose gear. The aircraft slid approximately 60 feet before coming to rest on the runway's edge.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate remedial action while on final approach. The encounter with wake turbulence was a factor.