Summary
On September 23, 2008, at approximately 14:47 Japan Standard Time, a privately owned Piper PA-46-310P Malibu, registered JA4140, experienced a serious incident after landing at Yamaguchi-Ube Airport in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. The aircraft tilted forward, causing the propeller blades to strike the runway surface. It then departed the side of the runway and came to a stop on its belly in a grassy area adjacent to the runway. The only occupant, the captain, was not injured. The aircraft sustained minor damage, and no fire occurred.
Flight History
The flight originated from Kitakyushu Airport as a visual flight rules (VFR) leisure flight bound for Yamaguchi-Ube Airport. The pilot had previously flown from Yamaguchi-Ube to Kitakyushu and was returning. En route, the pilot communicated with the Yamaguchi-Ube Airport Mobile Communication Station (Ube Radio). The pilot requested Runway 07, aware of a tailwind condition. The approach and touchdown appeared normal to both the pilot and the flight information officer observing from the tower. After touchdown, the aircraft began to tilt to the right, and the pilot applied left rudder. The nose then lowered, the propeller blades hit the runway, and the engine stopped. The aircraft turned right and exited the runway before the pilot could take corrective action.
Damage to the Aircraft
The aircraft sustained minor damage. Both propeller blades were bent at the tips. The bottom of the engine cowls were deformed, scratched, and worn. The right wing tip was scratched. The nose landing gear doors exhibited scratches and wear on external surfaces only, with no deformation or damage to edges. The right main landing gear tire and wheel were scratched on the outboard side. All three landing gears were found in a normally stowed position, with the flaps retracted. No damage was found to the gear struts, strut-to-actuator joints, or actuators. The bottom surfaces of the fuselage and the doors of the left and right main landing gears were free of scratches or other damage, except for the nose portion.
Investigation
The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) investigated the serious incident. The pilot stated that he extended the landing gear but did not check the green gear-down indicator lights. He did not hear the landing gear warning alarm and did not believe it sounded. The flaps were extended for landing and later retracted, though the pilot could not recall when he retracted them. The landing gear selector was moved to the UP position after the aircraft came to a stop, but the pilot could not explain why. The pilot noted that the landing gear alarm circuit breaker had never been touched. The flight information officer observed nothing unusual with the aircraft's landing gear or approach before touchdown. The on-site examination and teardown examination of landing gear actuators were conducted.