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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

August 11, 1994 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N4374X

Fresno, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 11, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Fresno, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N4374X
Operator
Richard W Winegarden
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX94LA314

The pilot said he was on the landing ground roll and began applying the brakes. The aircraft started pulling to the left and the pilot could not maintain directional control with full right rudder and brake. The pilot said the aircraft began to slide and the right main gear collapsed. The aircraft was examined by an FAA airworthiness inspector who said he did not find any unusual heat signatures on the brake disks, nor any evidence of a brake system malfunction. There were no flat spots on either of the main tires and all three tires exhibited evidence of skid abrasion 90 degrees to the tread. Abrasion marks oriented 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis were observed under the right wing. The right main landing gear was collapsed with the extend/retract rod end broken and the associated support bracket ripped out of the forward spar. The nose gear strut was found bent about 15 degrees to the left. Complete continuity was established between the cockpit rudder pedals and the nose gear steering collar.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft resulting in a ground loop/swerve and a subsequent overload failure of the right main landing gear.

Full Narrative

On August 11, 1994, at 0930 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA28R- 200, N4374X, sustained a main landing gear collapse following a loss of directional control on landing at the Fresno, California, airport. The aircraft slid off the runway and collided with runway lights, damaging the right wing and horizontal stabilizer. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on a personal cross-country flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated at Carlsbad, California, on the morning of the accident at 0720 hours with an intended destination of Fresno. In his written statement, the pilot reported that he was on the landing ground roll when he began applying the brakes. The aircraft started pulling to the left and the pilot could not maintain directional control with full right rudder and brake. The pilot stated that the aircraft began to slide and the right main gear collapsed. The aircraft was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector from the Fresno, California, Flight Standards District Office. The inspector reported that he did not find any unusual heat signatures on the brake disks, nor did he report any evidence of a brake system malfunction. There were no flat spots on either of the main tires and all three tires exhibited evidence of skid abrasion 90 degrees to the tread. Abrasion marks oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis were observed under the right wing. The right main landing gear was collapsed with the extend/retract rod end broken and the associated support bracket ripped out of the forward spar. The nose gear strut was found bent about 15 degrees to the left. Complete continuity was established between the cockpit rudder pedals and the nose gear steering collar.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 PDT
Nearest AirportFresno Air Terminal (0nm)
Runway29L
Runway Length7206 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN4374X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRichard W Winegarden
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 62 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:38
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data