Pilot Debrief

NEW PIPER AIRCRAFT INC PA-46-500T near Aspen, CO — 2009-02-04

Final reportCEN09IA153
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Date
2009-02-04
Location
Aspen, CO, USA
Airport
ASE
Aircraft
NEW PIPER AIRCRAFT INC PA-46-500T
Registration
N535JR
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot and passenger were landing following a cross-country flight. As soon as the nosewheel touched down on landing, the airplane pulled to the left. The pilot attempted to correct to the right and the airplane began swerving and exited the right side of the runway and came to a stop in a snow bank. The pilot told investigators the airplane had seven previous instances of the airplane pulling to the left during landing. In each of those cases, the steering departure occurred upon nosewheel touchdown and the pilot was able to regain control. Weather at the time of the accident was clear skies and the winds were variable at five knots. Postaccident examination of the airplane showed the nose gear rake angle was negative (-) .5 to -.7 degrees. Proper rake angle is 0.0 to positive .5 degrees. The manufacturers's analysis of the measured -.5 to -.7 degree rake angle showed that the rake angle maintained a positive margin of safety against dynamic nosewheel shimmy. The investigation could not determine the cause of the steering departure.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Proper adjustment of the nose gear rake angle before the flight.

NTSB coding

  • Loss of control on ground · Landing-flare/touchdown
  • Maintenance

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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