Page, AZ, USA
N621PG
Piper PA31
The pilot stated that, during the landing roll, he was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane veered right and exited the runway, where the nose landing gear collapsed. Examination of the airplane revealed that the nose gear steering/centering mechanism was fractured, which resulted in the improper alignment of the nose landing gear when it was extended, and a subsequent loss of directional control. Three skid marks were visible from the runway centerline to where the airplane came to rest. The center skid mark was consistent with the nose landing gear and was darker and was about 2-3 times the width of the marks from the main tires; consistent with the nose landing gear's misalignment during the landing roll.
On June 16, 2018, about 1300 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-31-350 airplane, N621PG, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Page, Arizona. The two commercial pilots were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, during the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right and he was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane subsequently exited the runway and the nose landing gear collapsed. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the nose steering/centering mechanism had fractured and separated from the nose wheel assembly, resulting in a misalignment when the gear was extended. According to the airport manager, no foreign object debris was located on the runway or grassy area off the right side of the runway where the airplane came to rest after the landing. A review of accident site pictures revealed that three skid marks were visible from the runway centerline to where the airplane came to rest. The center skid mark, corresponding to the nose landing gear, was darker and about 2 to 3 times wider than the outside skid marks, which corresponded to the main landing gear.
The failure of the airplane’s nose wheel steering/centering mechanism, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent runway excursion.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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