On January 9, 2006, a Piper SENECA (registration N4495T) operated by Hollywood Aviators Inc was involved in an aviation accident near Van Nuys, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Also causal was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action and inadequate supervision of the flight. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a simulated right engine-out landing, the airplane veered right after touchdown, struck a taxiway sign and hangar. Both pilots reported no mechanical issues.
Incident Summary
After touchdown, the airplane veered off the right side of the runway and collided with a taxiway sign and a hangar. Both the instructor and the pilot manipulating the controls reported that they had just performed a simulated right engine out approach and landing. The pilot noted a left crosswind condition during the landing, and the instructor said that both throttles were reduced to idle for touchdown.
Sequence of Events
After touchdown, the pilots stated that the left wing rose up, causing the right wing to strike the runway. The airplane veered off the runway and became airborne. The instructor said that the airplane was in a nose-high, steep right bank configuration and that the pilot was not able to regain control of the airplane. The instructor physically verified that the throttles were at idle and lowered the nose. The airplane contacted the taxiway again, striking a taxiway sign, and started to slide in a sideways motion. The landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid into a hangar. Both pilots stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane.