# NTSB CHI05CA118: Piper PA-32-260, N3936W, Ypsilanti, MI, May 19, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 19, 2005, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Ypsilanti, MI - Coordinates: 42.238056, -83.530281 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2381&lon=-83.5303&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Belleville, MI FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 61524 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05CA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61524/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA118 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane due to undetermined reasons. Factors associated with the accident were the crosswind condition and the taxiway sign which was contacted. THIS CASE WAS MODIFIED OCTOBER 12, 2006!! ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not possible (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - sign (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane collided with a taxiway sign during a landing roll. The pilot reported that after a local flight they entered a left downwind for runway 23L with the tower reporting the winds as being from 150 at 12 knots. The pilot reported that he established a left crab on final approach to stay centered with the runway. He stated that as he flared, he applied right rudder and left aileron. The pilot stated he touched down on the centerline, but the airplane began drifting to the right as the nose wheel touched down. He continued to report, "I again determined I had full left aileron into the left crosswind and applied more left rudder to steer the aircraft back to the centerline." The pilot stated he applied as much left rudder as he could; however, the airplane continued to turn right until it exited the runway and struck a taxiway sign. Airport personnel reported the airplane veered off the right side of runway 23L where it contacted the Taxiway Fox sign. The sign was knocked off of its mount and it came to rest 16 feet from the mount. The airplane came to rest 200 feet off the side of the runway. Inspection of the airplane's brakes, rudder, and steering systems buy the Federal Aviation Administration failed to reveal any mechanical failure/malfunction. A mechanic who inspected the airplane reported excessive play in the nose wheel steering system. THIS CASE WAS MODIFIED OCTOBER 12, 2006!! ## Factual narrative On May 19, 2005, at 1000 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260, N3936W, collided with a taxiway sign during a landing roll on runway 23L (7,526 feet by 150 feet, dry asphalt) at the Willow Run Airport (YIP), Ypsilanti, Michigan. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The local flight originated from YIP at 0956. The pilot reported that after a local flight they entered a left downwind for runway 23L with the tower reporting the winds as being from 150 at 12 knots. The pilot reported that he established a left crab on final approach to stay centered with the runway. He stated that as he flared, he applied right rudder and left aileron. The pilot stated he touched down on the centerline, but the airplane began drifting to the right as the nose wheel touched down. He continued to report, "I again determined I had full left aileron into the left crosswind and applied more left rudder to steer the aircraft back to the centerline." The pilot stated he applied as much left rudder as he could; however, the airplane continued to turn right until it exited the runway and struck a taxiway sign. Airport personnel reported the airplane veered off the right side of runway 23L where it contacted the Taxiway Fox sign. The sign was knocked off of its mount and it came to rest 16 feet from the mount. The airplane came to rest 200 feet off the side of the runway. Inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration Belleville, Michigan Flight Standards District Office inspected the airplane after the accident. The inspectors reported that they inspected the brakes, rudder, and steering systems, and no defects were noted. A mechanic who inspected the airplane for the pilot reported the clevis bolt on the landing gear was loose allowing the horn assembly to work back and forth eroding the attach bolt. He reported that this in addition to excessive wear on the lower torque link, bushing inserts, and damper assembly allowed 10 to 14 degrees of caster on the nose wheel assembly. THIS CASE WAS MODIFIED OCTOBER 12, 2006!! ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3936W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3936W), registered now, S/N 32-928 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-928 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William C. Downin - Registered owner: Charles Skupin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: YIP, Belleville, MI - Destination: YIP, Belleville, MI - Airport: YIP, Willow Run Airport, runway 23L ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 4,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 43 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: YIP ## 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 20050519008949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050519008949A), May 19, 2005: Piper PA32260, Detroit, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft touched down after completing testing of r-nav equipment on rwy 23L then veered to the right and into the grass between 23L and 23R just west of… ## Other investigations on N3936W (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA68D0424](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA68D0424), Dec 25, 1967: Piper PA-32 (N3936W), Eufala, AL, substantial damage 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.