On January 10, 1985, a Piper PA-32-301 (registration N83187) operated by Holiday Airways was involved in an aviation accident near Wheeling, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing on a wet and icy runway, which resulted in a skid, left main gear failure, and subsequent impact with runway edge lights. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A light aircraft skidded during rollout at night, causing the left main gear to fail and the wing to strike runway edge lights, resulting in a minor fuel tank fire.
What happened
The pilot landed the aircraft at night with six people on board. During the landing roll, the pilot observed showers and icy patches on the runway surface. As the aircraft was rolling out, it entered a skid with the nose cocked to the left. The left main gear failed in its outboard section, causing the aircraft to exit the left side of the runway. Upon exiting, the left wing struck and was penetrated by the runway edge lights. This impact resulted in a minor fuel tank fire.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the landing gear and the subsequent impact with the runway infrastructure. The primary finding was the structural failure of the left main gear outboard section during the skid.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing on a wet and icy runway, which resulted in a skid, left main gear failure, and subsequent impact with runway edge lights.
What happened in the 10 Jan 1985 Piper PA-32-301 accident near Wheeling, IL?
A light aircraft skidded during rollout at night, causing the left main gear to fail and the wing to strike runway edge lights, resulting in a minor fuel tank fire.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 10 Jan 1985 involved a Piper PA-32-301, registration N83187, operated by Holiday Airways, at Wheeling, IL.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing on a wet and icy runway, which resulted in a skid, left main gear failure, and subsequent impact with runway edge lights.
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