Accident Sequence
The airplane impacted the ground after an aborted landing following a loss of directional control during the landing attempt. According to the pilot, the airplane experienced a left veer during the take-off roll just before rotation. The pilot rotated the airplane and retracted the landing gear normally. During the flight, the pilot reported electrical problems, and upon arrival at the destination, he was unable to establish communications. He confirmed the landing gear was down by calling his father using a cellular telephone.
During the landing, when the nose wheel contacted the runway, the airplane again veered to the left. It departed the left side of the runway, prompting the pilot to abort the landing. During the aborted landing, the airplane struck a visual approach slope indicator (VASI). The airplane climbed to about 60 feet above ground level (AGL) when the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to land on a road, and the left wing struck the ground.
Examination Findings
After the accident, fuel was observed running from beneath the airplane. Fueling records indicated the airplane was filled with fuel prior to departure. The flow of fuel was stopped by moving the fuel selector from the right position to the off position. When the airplane was moved to a hangar, the inboard fuel cells were accessed, and no fuel was found in the inboard right fuel cell. The outboard fuel cells were broken loose from the aircraft structure.
Examination of the engine revealed compression on all cylinders, and spark from the impulse coupled magneto was confirmed. No fuel was found in the fuel distribution valve or fuel injector lines. The alternator drive belt was broken, and the alternator could not be turned by hand. The alternator was removed and examined; the case halves were misaligned and the case exhibited evidence of impact damage. The alternator case bolts were loosened, and the alternator shaft rotated freely when misalignment pressures were relieved.
The nose wheel steering system consists of two rods attached to the top of a T-bar supported by two bearings mounted on the strut tube. The T-bar is mounted on the forward side of the upper strut tube. The lower end of the T-bar attaches to the steering collar on the nose wheel strut with a link, which is on the left side of the centerline of the nose wheel strut. The link was fractured, and the fracture surfaces exhibited signatures consistent with tension overload failure. No other anomalies were found with respect to the airframe, engine, or systems that could be identified as existing prior to impact.
A witness reported that the airplane was not developing full power during the aborted landing.