No fatalities

30 Jun 2019: Piper PA28R 200 (N786N) — Chandler, AZ

Chandler, AZ, United States

On 30 Jun 2019, a Piper PA28R 200 (registration N786N) was involved in an aviation accident near Chandler, AZ. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in a gusting right quartering headwind, which resulted in a collapse of the left main landing gear. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A Piper PA-28R-200 experienced a left main landing gear collapse during rollout after landing at Chandler Municipal Airport; the pilot and passenger were not injured.

Accident Overview

On June 29, 2019, at approximately 1850 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28R-200, registration N786N, sustained substantial damage during a landing accident at Chandler Municipal Airport (CHD) in Chandler, Arizona. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot and a passenger were not injured.

Pilot Account

According to the pilot, who was seated in the right seat, his son, who was not a pilot, occupied the left seat. The pilot reported that he often alternated seats on different flights for proficiency. The flight originated from Stellar Airpark (P19) to CHD for landing practice. The first touch-and-go landing on runway 22R was uneventful. The pilot stated that the second landing was normal, but during the rollout, the airplane began to drift left and the left wing dropped. The pilot applied full right rudder, which caused the airplane to yaw to the right. He applied brakes as the airplane moved right, but seconds later, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to a stop on the runway with the left wing and left stabilator contacting the runway. The nose landing gear and right main landing gear remained extended and locked, but the left main landing gear appeared mostly retracted into its wheel well.

Weather

The 1856 CHD special weather observation recorded wind from 260° at 12 knots with gusts to 22 knots.

Post-Accident Examination

Examination of the main landing gear system revealed that the landing gear lever was in the deployed position. The left landing gear was partially extended, with the upper side brace link exhibiting a smooth bend. The hydraulic actuator cylinder was extended and remained attached to the retraction bracket. The truss support bracket was displaced from its normal position on the wing spar, with its bolts and screws bent or broken. The left tire displayed radial scuff marks on the outboard sidewall. The airframe sustained substantial damage to the left wing, stabilator, and empennage.

Contributing factors

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilotEffect on operation