# NTSB CHI90DEK03: Piper PA-23-250, N35ST, Columbus, OH, January 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 7, 1990, 13:21 local (18:21 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, OH
- Coordinates: 40.010208, -82.920257 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0102&lon=-82.9203&mi=10
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14461
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEK03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14461/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEK03

## Probable cause

PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE AND THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE WITH A NOSE GEAR STEERING PROBLEM.

## 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
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - nosewheel steering - not possible, pilot in command
  - performance data - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED WHEN THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AFTER THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY DURING A LANDING ROLL. A WITNESS WHO OBSERVED THE AIPRLANE FLYING ON FINAL APPROACH REPORTED THAT THE NOSE WHEEL WAS CANTED TO THE LEFT APPROXIMATELY 60 DEGS. THE PILOT REPORTED HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAXI PRIOR TO TAKEOFF AND STATED THE TURNING LIMITS OF THE NOSE WHEEL HAD BEEN EXCEEDED DURING GROUND HANDLING OPERATIONS. POST ACCIDENTS INSPECTION REVEALED A BROKEN STEERING LINK IN THE NOSE GEAR ASSEMBLY AND A CRACKED GEAR STRUT HOUSING AT THE NOSE GEAR STEERING TRAVEL STOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N35ST (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-7654012
- Airframe hours: 1333
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-CIA reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sowl, Marcus E.
- Registered owner: Vanguard Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 27, 1989, 3 hours before
- Departed: D36, DULUTH, MN
- Destination: CMH, COLUMBUS, OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CMH, Port Columbus Int'L, runway 28, 10,701 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 615 total, 229 in this make and model, 574 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CMH

## 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 19900107004179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900107004179A), Jan 7, 1990: Piper PA23250, Columbus, OH, Substantial damage. Veered off runway on landing and collapsed nose gear. Nose gear cocked prior to landing. Tow turn limits exceeded.

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.

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