Fort Pierce, FL, USA
N5224Y
Piper PA-23-250
According to the pilot, after landing the airplane pulled to the left, he aborted the landing and set up for another landing. On the second landing, the pilot said he approached slower and touched down on the center of the runway. When he lowered the nose gear the airplane turned left, departed the runway and struck trees. The left wing tip sheared off and the right wing separated from the fuselage before the airplane came to a full stop. A witness stated to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident, he observed the airplane pitching up and down during two attempts to land and flying radically. The witness added he has known the pilot for many years and stated the pilot "does not fly that way." The pilot's 14-year-old grandson was seated in the front next to the pilot, while the other two passengers were seated in the center row of seats. The FAA inspector stated "no evidence of nose wheel failure was discovered".
On July 20, 2003, about 1330 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-23-250, N5224Y, registered to Pereira Enterprises Inc. and operated by an individual, impacted with trees during the landing roll at the Treasure Coast Airpark, Fort Pierce, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 local personal flight. The airplane incurred substantial damaged. The commercial-rated pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries, while the other two passengers reported no injuries. The flight had originated from the same airport, at 1315, earlier that day. According to the pilot, after landing the airplane pulled to the left, he aborted the landing and set up for another landing. On the second landing, the pilot said he approached slower and touched down on the center of the runway. When he lowered the nose gear the airplane turned left, departed the runway and struck trees. The left wing tip sheared off and the right wing separated from the fuselage before the airplane came to a full stop. A witness stated to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident, he observed the airplane pitching up and down during two attempts to land and flying radically. The witness added he has known the pilot for many years and stated the pilot "does not fly that way." The pilot's 14 -year-old grandson was seated in the front next to the pilot, while the other two passengers were seated in the center row of seats. The FAA inspector stated "no evidence of nose wheel failure was discovered".
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing roll resulting in collision with trees after the airplane departed the runway.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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