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July 11, 2025 · Piper PA46 350P · N962WF

Elysburg, PA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 11, 2025
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Elysburg, PA
Aircraft
Piper PA46 350P (1999)
Tail Number
N962WF
Operator
Pad Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA25LA268

According to the pilot, while on final approach, he confirmed that he had the flaps down and three green lights indicating the landing gear was down and locked. He touched down on the main landing gear and then the nose gear while using the rudder pedals to maintain directional control. Shortly after, the pilot noticed that the airplane was yawing to the left and the rudder pedals were no longer effective. The nose landing gear had collapsed, and the airplane departed the left side of the runway into a ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed a broken engine mount where the nose landing gear retract cylinder was located. About 10 years before the accident, the airframe manufacturer issued a service bulletin requiring inspection of this area for cracking after each 100 hours of flight time. The bulletin described that, “Cracks may develop in the area of the nose gear actuator attach feet on the engine mount. This condition can occur when the nose landing gear is subjected to excessive loads due to hard landings, rough field operations, excessive speed turns, improper airplane towing (sudden, aggressive starts and stops), or other improper operations.” The mechanic who performed the last annual inspection stated that he had not completed the inspection specified by the service bulletin and that the airplane had accumulated 138 hours of flight time since the last compliance. Whether the nose landing gear collapse that occurred during the accident flight was the result of previous, undetected cracking or the landing on the accident flight was not determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Nose/tail gear attach section-Failure

Full Narrative

According to the pilot, while on final approach, he confirmed that he had the flaps down and three green lights indicating the landing gear was down and locked. He touched down on the main landing gear and then the nose gear while using the rudder pedals to maintain directional control. Shortly after, the pilot noticed that the airplane was yawing to the left and the rudder pedals were no longer effective. The nose landing gear had collapsed, and the airplane departed the left side of the runway into a ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed a broken engine mount where the nose landing gear retract cylinder was located. About 10 years before the accident, the airframe manufacturer issued a service bulletin requiring inspection of this area for cracking after each 100 hours of flight time. The bulletin described that, “Cracks may develop in the area of the nose gear actuator attach feet on the engine mount. This condition can occur when the nose landing gear is subjected to excessive loads due to hard landings, rough field operations, excessive speed turns, improper airplane towing (sudden, aggressive starts and stops), or other improper operations.” The mechanic who performed the last annual inspection stated that he had not completed the inspection specified by the service bulletin and that the airplane had accumulated 138 hours of flight time since the last compliance. Whether the nose landing gear collapse that occurred during the accident flight was the result of previous, undetected cracking or the landing on the accident flight was not determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 EDT
Nearest AirportNorthumberland County (0nm ENE)
Runway26
Runway Length3297 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA46 350P
Tail NumberN962WF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPad Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming Engines · TIO-540-AE2A · Reciprocating · 350
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data