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May 20, 2003 · Piper PA-31-350 · N71749

Wenatchee, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 20, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Wenatchee, WA
Aircraft
Piper PA-31-350
Tail Number
N71749
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA03LA085

During the landing roll, the nose gear began to oscillate when it made contact with the runway surface. The pilot applied up elevator to unload the nose gear. When the nose gear touched down again, the aircraft veered to the right side. The pilot tried to compensate with left rudder input, however, the aircraft traveled off the side of the runway surface onto soft terrain. The nose gear collapsed and the aircraft came to rest off the side of the runway. Inspection of the nose gear found that the steering arm on top of the nose gear strut was missing. The part has not been located.

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure of the nose gear steering system for undetermined reasons during the landing roll.

Full Narrative

On May 19, 2003, at 2015 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-31-350, N71749, registered to and operated by Aeroflight Executive Services Inc., as a 14 CFR Part 135 on demand cargo flight, collapsed the nose gear during the landing roll at Pangborn Memorial Airport, Wenatchee, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated from Spokane, Washington, about one hour prior to the accident. The pilot reported that the taxi and takeoff from Spokane were normal. The landing at Wenatchee was made on runway 30. The pilot stated that the aircraft touched down and when the nose wheel contacted the surface, the nose jolted to the right. The pilot unloaded the nose gear by applying up elevator. When the nose wheel touched down again, the aircraft veered to the right. The pilot tried to counter with full left rudder input, however the aircraft continued to travel off the hard top surface of the runway onto soft terrain. The nose gear collapsed and the aircraft came to rest off the side of the runway. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Spokane Flight Standards District Office inspected the aircraft and reported that the steering arm on top of the nose gear strut was missing. The arm assembly, part number 44386-00 has not been located. The three bolts that secure the steering arm to the strut are also missing. Additional damage noted that the nose landing gear extension/retraction arms were broken and deformed. The shimmy dampener attachment tabs are broken off at the attachment collar. It was noted that the nose gear strut housing had been weld repaired at the right side steering stop. The steering stop was deformed outward which allowed the nose wheel to turn approximately 80 degrees to the right. The left side steering stop appeared intact. The runway was inspected and it was noted that skid marks present on the runway appeared to be associated with the accident. The skid marks indicate that the nose wheel was oscillating for about 1,000 feet prior to the aircraft departing the side of the runway. The aircraft came to rest about 35 feet away from the runway edge.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:15 PDT
Nearest AirportPangborn Memorial (0nm)
Runway12
Runway Length5500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-31-350
Tail NumberN71749
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540 · Reciprocating · 350
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 23 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind110° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 23 C
Altimeter30.27 inHg
Observation Time02:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data