# NTSB CHI90LA144: Piper PA23-250, N32AC, Carbondale, IL, May 31, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1990, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Carbondale, IL
- Coordinates: 37.66917, -89.279129 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6692&lon=-89.2791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14682
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14682/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA144

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TOUCHDOWN AND LANDING ROLL.

## 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
  - brakes(normal) - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,steering system - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - object - runway light
  - terrain condition - ground
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE FIRST TOUCH AND GO WAS UNEVENTFUL, BUT WHEN THE NOSE GEAR TOUCHED DOWN ON THE SECOND LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT VEERED 'VIOLENTLY' TO THE LEFT. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, THEN SWERVED 'RATHER SUDDENLY' BACK TO THE RIGHT AND ONTO THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT-RATED PASSENGER STATED THAT THE PILOT APPLIED PULL RIGHT RUDDER AND RIGHT BRAKE, AND USED DIFFERENTIAL POWER IN AN ATTEMPT TO REGAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED SKID MARKS ON THE RUNWAY WHICH WERE CONSISTENT WITH A TOUCH DOWN WITH THE LEFT BRAKE LOCKED. EXAMINATION ALSO REVEALED THAT THE NOSE GEAR STEERING ARM FAILED IN AN OVERLOAD FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32AC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32AC-2008-07-08), registration cancelled 2008-07-08, S/N 27-7405366, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-7405366
- Airframe hours: 3579
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-C1A 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Corporate Aircraft Leasing,Inc
- Registered owner: Wenesh, Leonard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 6, 1990, 62 hours before
- Airport: MDH, Southern Illinois, runway 6, 4,093 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,045 total, 398 in this make and model, 2,795 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MDH

## 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 19900531017949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900531017949A), May 31, 1990: Piper PA23250, Carbondale-Murp, IL, Substantial damage. Veered off runway on touchdown. Skid marks showed left brake was locked. Nose gear steering arm failed in stress.

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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