# NTSB CHI96LA086: Piper PA-32-301, N800TC, Marion, IN, January 31, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 31, 1996, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Marion, IN - Coordinates: 40.600418, -85.630882 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6004&lon=-85.6309&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10194 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10194/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA086 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## 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 maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot reported that upon landing the airplane 'veered left off the runway. It felt like the left brake was locked up.' The airplane went through a ditch off the edge of the runway and through the field to the crosswind runway. When the airplane's nosewheel contacted the edge of the crosswind runway it collapsed, and the airplane came to a stop on the crosswind runway. Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies in the flight controls, engine, engine controls or brakes. An airplane and powerplant mechanic on the airport reported that the airplane's brakes functioned normally while towing the airplane from the accident site. ## Factual narrative On January 31, 1996, at 1530 eastern standard time (est), a Piper PA-32-301, N800TC, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when on landing the airplane departed the runway. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The pilot reported no injuries to himself or the passenger on board. The flight originated at Waterloo, Iowa, at 1125 central standard time (cst) and was en route to Marion, Indiana. In his written statement, the pilot reported that upon landing on runway 33 (3,596' X 100'), the airplane "veered left off the runway. It felt like the left brake was locked up." The pilot applied full right rudder, but he could not prevent the airplane from departing the runway. The airplane went through a ditch off the edge of the runway, and through the field to the crosswind runway. When the airplane's nosewheel contacted the edge of the crosswind runway, "it collapsed." The airplane came to a stop on the crosswind runway. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane in a hangar at Marion Municipal Airport, Marion, Indiana, on February 2, 1996. The examination revealed that the nosewheel had bent rearward under the cowling and was cocked to the right. The firewall and the engine mount had bent down and rearward at the point where the nosewheel strut attaches to the mount. Both propeller blades were also bent. Flight control continuity was confirmed. No anomalies were found in the engine or engine controls. The brakes were tested and functioned normally. In a telephone interview conducted on February 27, 1996, an airplane and powerplant mechanic for Air Marion, Incorporated, Marion, Indiana, reported that the airplane's brakes functioned normally while towing the airplane from the accident site to the hangar. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N800TC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N800TC), registered now, S/N 32-8106001, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-301 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (registry code 7103207) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-8106001 - Airframe hours: 2660 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bearing Service Company, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 5, 1995, 20 hours before - Departed: ALO, WATERLOO, IA - Destination: MZZ - Airport: MZZ, Marion Municipal, runway 33, 3,596 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 440 total, 301 in this make and model, 402 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 3 °F ## 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 19960131001149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960131001149A), Jan 31, 1996: Piper PA32301, Marion, IN, Substantial damage. Upon landing on runway, slid off left side of runway, went into a ditch, bent nose wheel and prop. (.4)the pilot reported that upon landing the airplane… 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.