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March 28, 2008 · Piper PA-28R-201 · N963WW

Phoenix, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 28, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-201
Tail Number
N963WW
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA08CA097

The pilot, who was training for her certified flight instructor certificate, was returning to the airport. Following the first touchdown on the runway, she felt that "...something was wrong with the rudder pedals." She felt a slight tugging to the right, but once the airplane was airborne again she no longer felt this tugging. She then retracted the landing gear. As she was on downwind, she extended the landing gear and the green light for the nose gear momentarily flickered but became a solid green light. As she turned onto the final leg of the traffic pattern, she verified that the landing gear were down and locked. Upon touchdown, she immediately felt the airplane tugging to the right side and decided to abort the takeoff. The pilot began to pull the power back to idle and apply braking, while leaving the flaps extended. As she applied the brakes, the airplane pulled to the right, which felt to the pilot like the right brake was locked. The pilot removed her feet from the brakes evenly and the airplane turned quickly to the right. She attempted to correct with left rudder inputs; however, the airplane collided with a sign and sustained substantial damage to the right wing. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that there were marks on the runway, consistent with the airplane touching down with the landing gear not pointed directly down the runway. Inspection of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions with the landing gear or braking system. Review of the maintenance records did not indicate any recent discrepancy reports involving the landing gear or braking system.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

The pilot, who was training for her certified flight instructor (CFI) certificate, was returning to the airport. Following the first touch down on runway 7R, she felt that "...something was wrong with the rudder pedals." She felt a slight tugging to the right, but once the airplane was airborne again she no longer felt this tugging. She then retracted the landing gear. As she was on downwind, she extended the landing gear and the green light for the nose gear momentarily flickered but became a solid green light. As she turned onto the final leg of the traffic pattern, she verified that the landing gear were down and locked. Upon touchdown, she immediately felt the airplane tugging to the right side and decided to abort the takeoff. The pilot began to pull the power back to idle and apply braking, while leaving the flaps extended. As she applied the brakes, the airplane pulled to the right which felt to the pilot like the right brake was locked. The pilot removed her feet from the brakes evenly and the airplane turned quickly to the right. She attempted to correct with left rudder inputs; however, the airplane collided with a sign and sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot indicated that a CFI at the flight school told her that two of his students reported uneven braking in the airplane. The CFI was interviewed by the National Transportation Safety Board investigator. He indicated that during two dual, instructional flights, his students reported uneven braking. When the students reported the problem, he conducted the following landings. The CFI did not experience any braking anomalies or directional control problems with the airplane. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector responded to the accident site. The inspector indicated that there were marks on the runway, consistent with the airplane touching down with the landing gear not pointed directly down the runway. Inspection of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions with the landing gear or braking system. Review of the maintenance records did not indicate any recent discrepancy reports involving the landing gear or braking system.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 MST
Nearest AirportPhoenix Deer Valley (0nm)
Runway7R
Runway Length8208 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-201
Tail NumberN963WW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTextron Lycoming · IO-360-C1C6 · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 28 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point25 C
Altimeter29.81 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data