On February 27, 1985, a Piper PA-23-250 (registration N54815) was involved in an aviation accident near Markesan, WI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment with the runway during the final approach, resulting in a landing outside the paved surface and subsequent nose gear collapse. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot attempting to land at an unlighted airfield at dusk misaligned the aircraft by approximately 20 feet, touching down in a snowbank and causing nose gear collapse.
What happened
The pilot attempted to land at an unlighted airfield during dusk conditions. Although he believed visibility was sufficient for the approach, the aircraft aligned approximately 20 feet to the right of the runway centerline. The aircraft touched down in a shallow snowbank that paralleled the entire length of the runway. Shortly after touchdown, the nose gear collapsed.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the landing and the subsequent structural failure. Examination confirmed that the aircraft was not aligned with the runway surface at the moment of contact.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment with the runway during the final approach, resulting in a landing outside the paved surface and subsequent nose gear collapse.