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December 5, 2017 · Piper PA 34-200T 220T · N47536

Glendale, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 5, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Glendale, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA 34-200T 220T (1977)
Tail Number
N47536
Operator
Angel Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR18LA044

The flight instructor reported that, during touchdown, the left wing "dipped" and the instructor initiated an aborted landing. After determining that the airplane would not climb, the instructor reduced engine power and attempted to stop the airplane, which veered off the runway surface, impacted a sign, and came to rest in the dirt adjacent to the runway. The instructor later reported that the left main landing gear had "malfunctioned" upon touchdown. Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane landed left of the runway centerline with all three landing gear extended; the first indication of the collapsed gear was visible in a dirt area on the left side of the runway behind a runway distance marker. Although examination of the left main landing gear revealed a small area of fatigue, the majority of the fracture surface exhibited signatures consistent with overstress failure; therefore, it is likely that the gear fractured due to overstress following the runway excursion and impact with a sign.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the fatigue of the left main landing gear assembly.

Full Narrative

On December 5, 2017, about 1835 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-34-200T, N47536, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Glendale, Arizona. The flight instructor and the commercial pilot were not injured. The airplane was as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The instructor reported that the commercial pilot receiving instruction, who was flying the airplane, successfully completed two simulated engine failure maneuvers in the traffic pattern. During the third traffic pattern, the instructor initiated a right engine failure. While on base, the pilot extended the landing gear and verbally confirmed that all three landing gear lights were green, which indicated the landing gear were down and locked. Upon touchdown, the left wing "dipped" and the airplane bounced back into the air. The instructor took the flight controls and, in an attempt to climb, applied full power to both engines; however, the nose of the airplane dropped, and the airplane started to drift toward the left side of the runway. The instructor determined that the airplane would not climb, and he retarded both throttle and mixture controls and attempted to maintain directional control while simultaneously applying brakes to stop. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and came to a complete stop in the adjacent dirt area. The instructor also reported that "the left landing gear malfunctioned" upon touchdown. Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane landed with all three-landing gear extended; each tire's skid mark was visible on the runway surface to the left of the centerline. Additionally, the landing gear imprints were visible in the dirt where the airplane veered off the runway. The runway edge light and the 1,000-ft distance marker showed evidence of the left propeller/nose impacts. The left main landing gear collapsed after it impacted the distance marker, as evidenced by wide tire marks as the airplane started to roll on the sidewall of the left tire. Examination of the left main landing gear fracture surface revealed slant fractures consistent with an overstress failure. One small area of the fracture surface, coincident with the forging flash line, exhibited a flat fracture surface. A sample that contained the flat fracture area was further examined under the scanning electron microscope, which revealed striations consistent with a fatigue fracture.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:35 MST
Nearest AirportGlendale Muni (0nm WNW)
Runway01
Runway Length7150 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA 34-200T 220T
Tail NumberN47536
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAngel Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · TSIO-360 SER · Reciprocating · 200 | Cont Motor · TSIO-360 SER · Reciprocating · 200
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 29 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 12000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 21 C
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data