# NTSB DEN87LA215: Piper PA-34-220T, N2431Q, Salt Lake City, UT, August 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1987, 13:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Salt Lake City, UT
- Coordinates: 40.699947, -111.940071 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6999&lon=-111.9401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17297
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17297/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA215

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,steering system - disconnected (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,tire - overload (cause)
  - directional control - not possible (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THE TOUCHDOWN SEEMED NORMAL BUT THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO PORPOISE, THE PROPELLERS STRUCK THE RUNWAY AND THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO A STOP. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE NOSE GEAR STEERING ROLLER HAD BECOME DISLODGED AND PREVENTED PROPER TRACKING OF THE NOSE WHEEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2431Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-220T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 248533024
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-KB 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: J-Air, Inc
- Registered owner: Jerry Belliston
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CEZ, CORTEZ, CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SLC, Salt Lake City Int'L, runway 34R, 9,596 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,130 total, 15 in this make and model, 1,565 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 52 °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 19870811083469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870811083469A), Aug 11, 1987: Piper PA34220T, Salt Lake City, UT, Substantial damage. Bounced and porpoised on landing bending both props. Nose gear steering roller assembly prevented tracking.

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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