# NTSB CEN14LA210: Rockwell International 114, N4890W, Sturgis, MI, April 19, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 19, 2014, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Sturgis, MI - Coordinates: 41.813331, -85.438888 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8133&lon=-85.4389&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA South Bend FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89096 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA210 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89096/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89096 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA210 ## Probable cause A cracked nose landing gear pulley, which resulted in the binding of the nosewheel steering system. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: landing gear steering system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023250): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International 114, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023250/cases.md?model=7630314), [All aircraft, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023250/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: landing gear steering system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023250): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International 114, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023250/cases.md?model=7630314), [All aircraft, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023250/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Rockwell International 114, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7630314), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Rockwell International 114, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=7630314), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, due to a right crosswind, he applied full left rudder and right aileron during the approach for landing. When the nose landing gear touched down on the runway, the airplane immediately veered to the left. The pilot applied full right rudder and right brake to no effect. The airplane veered off the runway and the nose gear hit a hole, which resulted in the right wing impacting the terrain. The examination of the nose landing gear steering system revealed that one of the pulleys on the right side of the nose landing gear was cracked and would not turn. Further examination revealed that it was possible for the steering cable to bind in the crack of the pulley and not allow the nose gear to move. ## Factual narrative On April 19, 2014, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Rockwell International 114, N4890W, sustained substantial damage when it veered off the left side of Runway 06 while landing at the Kirsch Municipal Airport (IRS), Sturgis, Michigan. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operating on a flight plan. The airplane departed from the Fulton County Airport (RCR), Rochester, Indiana, about 1430. The pilot reported that he applied full left rudder and right aileron during the approach for landing due to a right crosswind. He reported that the winds were steady below 400 feet above ground level from 100 degrees at 8 knots. When the nose landing gear touched down on the runway, the airplane immediately veered to the left. He applied full right rudder and right brake, but without effect. The airplane veered off the runway and the nose gear hit a hole, which resulted in the right wing impacting the terrain and sustaining substantial damage. The examination of the nose landing gear steering system revealed that one of the pulleys on the right side of the nose landing gear was cracked and would not turn. Further examination revealed that it was possible for the steering cable to bind in the crack of the pulley and not allow the nose gear to move. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4890W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4890W-2018-02-21), registration cancelled 2018-02-21, S/N 14220 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL 114 - Registry model: [Rockwell International 114](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-114) (registry code 7630314) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 14220 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 2316 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-T4B5D 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Murphy Patrick M - Registered owner: Murphy Patrick M - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 2014 - Departed: RCR, Rochester, IN - Destination: IRS, Sturgis, MI - Airport: IRS, Kirsch Municipal Airport, runway 06, 3,601 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 25, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 1,651 total, 1,538 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 6 knots, gusting 9 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: IRS ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20140419005799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140419005799A), Apr 19, 2014: Rockwell International 114, Sturgis, MI, Substantial damage. After touch down aircraft veered left went off runway into a ditch. Aircraft nose gear bent, approx four feet of right wing is bent up, firewall is also bent… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 13, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89096. 8.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412218&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Illustrated Parts Catalog - Commander Aircraft (item 2, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412219&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Illustrated%20Parts%20Catalog%20-%20Commander%20Aircraft-Master.PDF - Photo 1. View of damage to right wing (item 3, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412220&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20View%20of%20damage%20to%20right%20wing-Master.PDF - Photo 2. View of nose wheel (item 4, .PDF, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412221&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20View%20of%20nose%20wheel-Master.PDF - Photo 3. View of cracked pulley (item 5, .PDF, 641 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412222&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20View%20of%20cracked%20pulley-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.