Accident Details
On September 12, 2019, at 0225 Atlantic standard time, a Piper PA23-250, registration N269KW, was substantially damaged while taxiing at Cyril E King Airport (TIST), Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands. The commercial pilot was not injured. The aircraft was registered to Executive Airshares, LLC and operated under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The personal flight was destined for Henry E Rohlsen Airport (TISX), St. Croix. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
Pilot Statement
According to the pilot's written statement, he added throttle to raise engine temperatures while back taxiing to Runway 10. He cycled the propeller twice, then reduced throttle to idle. He heard an irregular noise and felt ground contact. He immediately shut off the mixtures to both engines. The pilot reported that the landing gear was slowly collapsing during taxi, which was not visible in the dark.
Wreckage Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector found a 60 to 70-foot ground scar on the runway leading to the runway edge, consistent with the left landing gear and wingtip. Ground scars continued in the turf from the runway edge to where the airplane came to rest after striking a runway light. The left-wing leading edge was fractured and impact damaged in several areas, and the wing spar was substantially damaged. The trailing edge of the outboard left wing showed damage consistent with ground and runway contact.
Landing Gear Investigation
The landing gear was examined under FAA supervision. The inspector noted no evidence of landing gear structural damage or malfunction of the landing gear actuator. A retraction test revealed no mechanical failures, and a hydraulic pressure test showed no anomalies.
Maintenance Records
According to maintenance records, the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on July 1, 2019. A landing gear retraction test was performed during that inspection with no anomalies noted.