PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Student
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 5; Flight Crew Total 142; Flight Crew Type 87
Training / Qualification
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Excursion Runway; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors
This was my first time back in pilot's seat as PIC for about 6 months. Takeoff was fine and I spent about 45 minutes in the practice area. I returned to ZZZ with ATIS to practice some pattern work. I received clearance to land on runway XXL. The first approach to landing on was a 'go around' due to a plane that was still on the runway. I went back into the left traffic pattern for Runway XXL. On the next approach to landing; on final; full flaps were extended; I was on the PAPI glide slope; and my approach speed was about 80 mph for a normal landing. I touched down just past the numbers and the plane abruptly pulled left of centerline by about 45 degrees. I applied right rudder and slight right brake. My focus was to try to line up with centerline. This made me swerve to the right. The plane 'squirreled' left and right. I applied/fluttered between left/right rudder and brake as the plane slowed; but was still rolling. The plane made a 360 degree ground loop to the right; pointing me in the proper direction on the runway. I then notified ATC that I needed to get off the runway. I was shaken so I initially went the wrong direction and needed help from the tower to get off the runway to the southern taxiway.I took a few minutes to calm down and regroup. I went to the runup area; went through my checklist again; and pulled up to the 'hold short' line for Runway XXL. My reasoning was that I messed up my landing and must have set it up improperly. I wanted to get back up and land at a slower approach speed and maybe flare more. I received clearance for left closed traffic for Runway XXL. It wasn't until I was on downwind that I realized that the ground loop may have been due to a plane issue or may have created an issue. Because of this; I made sure I was slower than my first landing; about 75 mph on final; full flaps extended; and on the glide path. Again; when I touched down; the plane abruptly pulled left and started squirrelling left and right. My focus; again; was to try to get it to centerline. Rudder and brakes were fluttered back and forth trying to correct for the swerving until; I think I overcorrected and the plane started to turn to the right; going off of the runway; into the grassy island between runways XXL/R; ending in 180 degree turn. Once I realized I was turning around again; I stopped trying to correct for it. I immediately notified the tower that I was in the grass but did not need medical help. I shut down the plane according to the checklist and switched the fuel tanks to 'off' just in case. I got out of the plane and did a walk around to assess the damage and check for any leaking fluids. There were none. I called my flight school and my CFI to notify them of the ground loop.REFLECTIONS: I was told by about 4 other people that this particular plane was known to be a bit squirrelly but never to the point of a ground loop. It probably isn't a big factor; but the treads on the tires were uneven. I was told that the STOL kit on this plane adds takeoff and landing factors to account for. I was unaware of those factors. I just knew that the STOL kit was to make it difficult to stall. Overall; though; it was my inexperience with a proper reactive measures to swerving. I've logged 384 landings prior to this but did not know how to correct for it properly. I've had the plane swerve a little in the past but never like this. Also I think I wasn't flaring enough and that my touchdown speed was too fast. Since I am prepping for my checkride; I keep setting a goal to touchdown on the runway numbers. This probably put a false sense of urgency to land it before it's at a proper speed. I was also too fixed on staying on centerline. Lastly; 100%; I should've taxied back to the flight school when the first ground loop happened. For some reason; I was completely fixed on it being my inexperience and totally blanked on how the first loop may have affected the plane. My thought was to 'get back on the horse'.CORRECTIVEACTIONS: I debriefed with the owner of the flight school and some of the CFI's that helped get the plane back to the hangar. The next day I had a lesson with my CFI where we practiced directional control exercises on the runway so that I would have a better understanding on what I need to do in this situation. He put me in a swerve on the runway and taught me how the plane self-corrects. This gave me the feel for how much pressure to put on the rudders. This also taught me to not use the brakes until I am ready to stop. We also practiced more landings and I verbalized each step of the pattern work; landing checklist; and setup. Prior to another solo flight; my CFI stated that I need to re-do all of my pre-solo maneuvers (to the standards) and stage check. He has invalidated my solo endorsement until this is completed.As for going back up after the first ground loop; I'm going to be more aware of ALL the possible factors with both myself AND the plane. I think I defaulted to the run-up section of the checklist as my safety net. Instead; I should've parked the plane; and started a new preflight inspection. This would've put me in the mindset of looking at the structural integrity of the plane instead of just my own personal state-of-mind.
PA28 student pilot reported losing control during landing roll resulting in a ground loop on the runway. A subsequent landing attempt resulted in another loss of control event and a runway excursion.