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March 20, 2009 · Piper PA32 301T · N81912

Merritt Island, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 20, 2009
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Merritt Island, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA32 301T
Tail Number
N81912
Operator
Servant Air Ministries
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA09CA213

The pilot was performing takeoffs and landings on runway 29 to maintain her currency. During the third landing, the airplane departed the right side of the 75-foot-wide runway. The pilot reported that the rudder pedals were mushy after touchdown, during landing rollout, and that the airplane did not respond to her inputs to the left rudder pedal. However, the left rudder controls and nosewheel steering were operational when the pilot commanded the airplane to turn hard left to return to the runway pavement. Impact with the runway edge collapsed the nose gear. The reported winds at the time of the accident were from 040 degrees at 10 knots. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane received substantial damage to the nose gear, firewall, propeller, and fuselage. No preexisting mechanical deficiencies were identified with the airplane's steering, brakes or flight controls. On a previous flight in the same airplane three months prior to the accident, the pilot reported that the "nose wheel steering seemed squirrely as the airplane veered to the right and rudder pedal inputs were mushy." After that flight, maintenance on the airplane included replacing the left brake pads and tightening the nuts securing the nosewheel. Other pilots who recently flew the accident airplane reported nothing unusual with the nosewheel steering, but that the airplane was a "handful" during landings.

NTSB Probable Cause

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

Full Narrative

The certificated private pilot of the Piper PA-32-301T was performing takeoffs and landings on runway 29 to maintain her currency. During the third landing, the airplane departed the right side of the 75 foot-wide runway. The pilot reported that the rudder pedals were mushy after touchdown, during landing roll out, and that the airplane did not respond to her inputs to the left rudder pedal. However, the left rudder controls and nose wheel steering were operational when the pilot commanded the airplane to turn hard left to return to the runway pavement. Impact with the runway edge collapsed the nose gear. The pilot reported a total flight time of 464 hours, including 364 hours in the accident airplane. The reported winds at the time of the accident were from 040 degrees at 10 knots. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, and a certificated mechanic with Inspection Authorization (IA) revealed that the airplane received substantial damage to the nose gear, firewall, propeller, and fuselage. Neither the FAA inspector nor the IA identified any pre-existing mechanical deficiencies with the airplane's steering, brakes or flight controls. On a previous flight in the same airplane three months prior to the accident, the pilot reported that the "nose wheel steering seemed squirrely as the airplane veered to the right and rudder pedal inputs were mushy." After that flight, maintenance on the airplane included replacing the left brake pads and tightening the nuts securing the nose wheel. Other pilots who recently flew the accident airplane reported nothing unusual with the nose wheel steering, and that the airplane was a "handful" during landings.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 EDT
Nearest AirportMerritt Island Airport (1nm)
Runway29
Runway Length3601 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA32 301T
Tail NumberN81912
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorServant Air Ministries
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO540 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data