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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

April 22, 2002 · Piper PA24-250 · N7401P

Prescott, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 22, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Prescott, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA24-250
Tail Number
N7401P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX02LA141

The airplane veered off the runway during the landing roll-out, collided with obstacles, and collapsed the landing gear. On touchdown, the airplane began drifting to the right. The pilot applied left rudder but couldn't correct the right drift prior to the airplane leaving the pavement on the right side. The airplane impacted a runway light, then the right wing hit a small wooden building, which collapsed the nose gear and tore the right main gear out of the right wing structure. The pilot lost his medical certificate in 1972, and got it back in August 2001, and had flown about 15 since hours since that time. There were no mechanical malfunctions noted with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing roll.

Full Narrative

On April 21, 2002, at 1835 mountain standard time, a Piper PA24-250, N7401P, veered off runway 21R during the landing roll and collapsed the landing gear in a collision with several obstacles at the Ernest A. Love Field Airport (PRC), Prescott, Arizona. The owner operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. The airline transport pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local flight departed PRC about 1730. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed. The pilot was interviewed by telephone on April 22, 2002. He stated that he took off about 1730 and did three touch-and-go takeoffs and landings on runway 31R, then departed the pattern. After climbing to 8,500 feet, he did some air work, and then returned to the airport. The tower cleared him for a right base to runway 21R. He said that this runway was narrower than the others at the airport that he was used to (runway 21R is 60 feet wide, while the others are 150 feet wide). On touchdown, the airplane began drifting to the right. He applied left rudder but couldn't correct the right drift prior to the airplane leaving the pavement on the right side. The airplane impacted a runway light, then the right wing hit a small wooden building, which collapsed the nose gear and tore the right main gear out of the right wing structure. The pilot noted, although he was a former airline pilot, he lost his medical certificate in 1972 due to medical problems, and got it back in August 2001. The pilot flew about 15 hours since then, and had recently purchased the airplane. During a telephone interview with the National Transporation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the insurance representative stated that the airplane had been inspected and it was determined that there were no mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:35 MST
Nearest AirportErnest A. Love Field (0nm N)
Runway21R
Runway Length4846 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA24-250
Tail NumberN7401P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540A · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 86 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 9 C
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time01:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data