10 May 2008: Piper PA-34 — UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY

10 May 2008: Piper PA-34 — UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY

No fatalities • Blythe, CA, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he made a normal approach to runway 26 and touched down at 95 miles per hour (mph). After decelerating to 70 mph, the airplane unexpectedly began drifting to the left. The pilot corrected the airplane to the right towards the centerline. The airplane crossed the centerline and continued to the right. He stated that the airplane's movement was not in proportion to his control inputs. He tried to correct the airplane back to the left, and it entered an out-of-control side skid on the runway. At 15 mph, the right main landing gear collapsed, followed by the left main and nose gear. The airplane stopped on a heading of 104 degrees, left of the runway centerline.

At 1353, the Blyth ASOS (Automated Surface Observation System) recorded winds from 090 at 4 knots.

The pilot reported that the airplane had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

Contributing factors

  • cause Directional control — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Pilot
  • Capability exceeded

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 090/04kt, vis 10sm

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