Thursday, November 20, 2025

Loss of control in flight: Piper PA-28-181 Archer III, N4187U, accident occurred on July 21, 2025, near Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport (SIG/TJIG), San Juan, Puerto Rico

  • Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico 
  • Accident Number: ERA25LA275 
  • Date & Time: July 21, 2025, 10:48 Local 
  • Registration: N4187U 
  • Aircraft: Piper PA28 
  • Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
  • Defining Event: Loss of control in flight 
  • Injuries: 1 None 
  • Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional 

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200596/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200596

The student pilot reported that the accident flight was her second solo flight, and she had accumulated 0.6 hours of solo experience during her previous solo flight. She added that her flight instructor told her that she could practice soft and short field takeoffs if she felt comfortable. During the accident flight, she was attempting a soft field takeoff technique. After liftoff, the airplane drifted left and the student pilot attempted to correct with right rudder, but the airplane stalled left and impacted a parking lot. Both of the airplane’s wings and the fuselage sustained substantial damage during the accident. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures, nor did the student pilot report any. Review of an airport video recording confirmed that the airplane took off in an extreme nose high attitude before it yawed left and stalled.

- Probable Cause: The student pilot’s excessing pitch attitude during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and aerodynamic stall.

No comments:

Post a Comment