LONE PINE, CA, USA
N6976P
PIPER PA-24-250
THE PILOT SAID HE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEMS DURING THE GROUND ROLL. THE AIRPLANE DID NOT SEEM TO RESPOND TO RIGHT RUDDER INPUTS, AND HE LIFTED OFF EARLY TO AVOID DEPARTING THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PAVEMENT. THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT HAVE ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND SETTLED BACK TO THE GROUND IN A LEFT DRIFT. THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRCRAFT SPUN AROUND TO A STOP. THE MANAGER AT THE AIRPORT EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND REPORTED THAT THE NOSE GEAR APPEARED TO BE INTACT. THE RIGHT LINKAGE WHICH CONNECTS THE NOSE GEAR STEERING COLLAR TO THE RUDDER PEDALS WAS BROKEN, WITH A PIECE MISSING. HE ALSO REPORTED THAT HE INSPECTED THE TAXIWAY AND RUNWAY, BUT DID NOT FIND THE MISSING PIECE. IN HIS REPORT, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE MISSING PIECE WAS FOUND 50 FT WEST OF THE CRASH SITE. HE STATED THAT THE FRACTURE FACE EXHIBITED A RUST-COLORED APPEARANCE OVER ABOUT 1/2 OF THE FRACTURE, WITH THE REMAINDER SHINY IN APPEARANCE. THE PART WAS NOT PROVIDED TO NTSB FOR EXAMINATION AS REQUESTED.
On October 13, 1994, at 1605 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA24- 250, N6976P, collided with terrain following a loss of control during takeoff at Lone Pine, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident as a personal cross-country flight to Chino, California. The pilot reported that he was attempting a takeoff on runway 34 and began to experience directional control problems during the ground roll. The pilot stated that the airplane did not seem to respond to right rudder inputs and he lifted off early to avoid departing the left side of the pavement. The aircraft did not have sufficient airspeed and settled back to the ground in a left drift. The right main landing gear collapsed and the aircraft spun around to a stop. The manager at the Lone Pine airport examined the aircraft and reported that the nose gear appeared to be intact. The right hand rod which connects the nose gear steering collar to the rudder pedals was broken, with a piece missing. The manager reported that he inspected the taxiway and runway, but did not find the missing piece. In his written report, the pilot noted that the missing piece was found 50 feet west of the crash site. He stated that the fracture face exhibited a rust-colored appearance over about 1/2 of the fracture with the remainder shiny in appearance. The part was not surrendered to the National Transportation Safety Board for examination as requested.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF, RESULTING IN A PREMATURE LIFT-OFF. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE STEERING LINKAGE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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