DFW05CA011

The 3000-hour commercial pilot reported that due to the heavy rain and instrument weather conditions that prevailed, he requested an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach. During the landing roll, the pilot reported that the airplane hit a patch of water on the wet runway, and as a result, the airplane veered to the left. Subsequently, the pilot applied right rudder to correct the situation, but the nose wheel did not become effective until it came into contact with grass off the left side of the runway. At this time, the pilot attempted to steer the airplane back onto the runway, but the tire of the left main landing gear hit a runway light, and the front of the aircraft hit a taxiway sign.

On October 25, 2004, approximately 2200 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28 single-engine airplane, N9284J, owned and operated by Greenhill Management Corporation of Abilene, Texas, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control during landing roll on runway 35R at the Abilene Regional Airport (ABI) near Abilene, Texas. The instrument-rated commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The cross-country flight originated from the Sherman Municipal Airport (SWI) near Sherman, Texas, approximately 2015, with ABI as its intended destination.

In a written statement, the 3,000-hour commercial pilot reported that due to the heavy rain and instrument weather conditions that prevailed, he requested an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach for runway 35R at ABI. The first approach was unsuccessful, so the pilot received vectors for a second approach from the Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower at ABI. The second approach was successful, and the pilot landed on runway 35R. During the landing roll, the pilot reported that the airplane hit a patch of water, and as a result, the airplane veered to the left. Subsequently, the pilot applied right rudder to correct the situation, but the nose wheel did not become effective until it came into contact with grass off the left side of the runway. At this time, the pilot attempted to steer the airplane back onto the runway, but the tire of the left main landing gear hit a runway light, and the front of the aircraft hit a taxiway sign, damaging the propeller. The pilot confirmed that his passenger was not injured and then contacted the tower to report the accident.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that responded to the scene of the accident reported that the nose gear of the airplane had collapsed, resulting in damage to the engine mounts. Additionally, a corner of the firewall was damaged, and there was an impact mark on the leading edge of the left wing that impact with the taxiway sign.

At 2200, the automated weather observing system at ABI reported variable wind at 3 knots, 6 statute miles visibility, light thunderstorms and rain, mist, broken clouds at 900 feet, overcast sky at 4,600 feet, temperature 19 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 17 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 29.96 inches of Mercury.