# NTSB ERA14LA071: Piper PA-46-500TP, N4185L, Monroe, NC, November 24, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 23, 2013, 21:15 local (Nov 24, 2013, 02:15 UTC) - Place: Monroe, NC - Coordinates: 35.018333, -80.620277 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0183&lon=-80.6203&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 6 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 88553 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14LA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88553/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88553 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA071 ## Probable cause The pilot’s operation of the airplane with underinflated tires, which resulted in the right tire’s failure during takeoff and a subsequent runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: tire casing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023244): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not serviced/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA46-500TP, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023244/cases.md?model=7104622), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023244/cases.md) - [Maintenance: scheduled/routine maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA46-500TP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md?model=7104622), [All aircraft, 320 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: tire casing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023244): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA46-500TP, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023244/cases.md?model=7104622), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023244/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA46-500TP, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=7104622), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Piper PA46-500TP, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7104622), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA46-500TP, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7104622), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll and at rotation speed, the right main landing gear tire failed. He aborted the takeoff, and the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The ground around the runway edge was uneven due to airfield construction, and the wings bounced as the airplane departed the runway surface, which resulted in substantial damage to the right aileron. The right main tire was found failed at the accident site. The left main tire pressure was measured with a tire gauge, and it registered 40 pounds per square inch (psi); 55 psi was required by the manufacturer. The nose tire was also underinflated. Subsequent examination of the tire at the manufacturer's facility revealed no preexisting manufacturing anomalies or foreign-object damage. The damage to the right tire and inner tube were consistent with underinflation during operation. ## Factual narrative On November 23, 2013, about 2115 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-46-500TP, N4185L, was substantially damaged following a main landing gear tire failure during takeoff, a loss of directional control, and runway excursion at Monroe, North Carolina (EQY). The commercial pilot and five passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Night, visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight to Knoxville, Tennessee (TYS) was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll and at rotation speed, the right, main landing gear tire failed. He aborted the takeoff and the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The ground around the runway edge was uneven due to airfield construction, and the wings bounced as the airplane departed the runway surface. The airplane came to a stop about 300 feet from the runway surface and the pilot and passengers exited the airplane. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and inspected the airplane. He reported substantial damage to the right aileron. The damage was consistent with over-travel of the aileron control surface during the excursion. The right main gear tire had failed. After recovery of the airplane, the FAA inspector and a mechanic checked the left main gear tire pressure with a non-calibrated tire gauge that was less than a year old. The left main tire pressure was 40 psi. According to the pilot's operating handbook, the main tire pressure should have been 55 psi. The nose gear tire pressure was also below the manufacturer's recommended pressure. The failed main gear tire and damaged aileron parts were retained for further examination. On March 11, 2014, the NTSB Investigator-in-Charge examined the failed right main gear tire at the Goodyear Aviation facility at Stockbridge, Georgia, assisted by the Goodyear Aviation Senior Product Support Manager. The tire, a Goodyear 6.00-6, 8-ply aviation tire, was sectioned with a band saw to facilitate a visual examination. The sidewall was ruptured in multiple locations. There were no pre-existing manufacturing anomalies noted. There was no evidence of foreign object damage noted. The tire contained an inner tube, which was ruptured and in numerous, small pieces. Many of the pieces were adhered together with reverted rubber. The damages to the tire and inner tube were consistent with under-inflation and/or over-deflection during use in service. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4185L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4185L), registered now, S/N 4697025, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-46-500TP - Registry model: [Piper PA46-500TP](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa46-500tp) (registry code 7104622) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4697025 - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 2953 - Engines: P&W PT6A SER 500 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 17, 2013, 107 hours before - Departed: EQY, Monroe, NC - Destination: TYS, Knoxville, TN - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: EQY, Charlotte-Monroe Executive, runway 05, 7,001 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 8, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 6,803 total, 2,969 in this make and model, 6,670 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 360° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: EQY ## 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 20131123024189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131123024189A), Nov 23, 2013: Piper PA46-500TP, Monroe, NC, Minor damage. Eqy-tys, during roll-out at eqy, right main tire failed causing the aircraft to exit rwy stopping an estimated 275 feet off the right side of rwy 23. Aircraft… ## Other investigations on N4185L (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI07IA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07IA067), Nov 18, 2006: Piper PA-46-500TP (N4185L), Fort Wayne, IN, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: The fatigue failure/separation of the engine mount's nose gear actuator attachment foot, and the manufacturer's inadequate engine mount/nose gear actuator attachment design. ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 15, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88553. 5.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412323&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Interview with FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412324&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Interview%20with%20FAA%20Inspector-Redacted.PDF - Goodyear Aviation Comments from Tire Examination (item 3, .PDF, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412325&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Goodyear%20Aviation%20Comments%20from%20Tire%20Examination-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Right Aileron Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412326&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Right%20Aileron%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Right Aileron Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 162 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412327&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Right%20Aileron%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Right Aileron Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 298 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412328&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20Right%20Aileron%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 4. Right Main Landing Gear Tire Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 756 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412329&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204.%20Right%20Main%20Landing%20Gear%20Tire%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 5. Right Main Landing Gear Tire, Sectioned (item 8, .PDF, 942 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412330&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205.%20Right%20Main%20Landing%20Gear%20Tire,%20Sectioned-Master.PDF - Photo 6. Inner Tube Fragments Found Inside Tire (item 9, .PDF, 1000 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412331&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206.%20Inner%20Tube%20Fragments%20Found%20Inside%20Tire-Master.PDF - Photo 7. Tire Inflation Information from Pilot's Operating Manual (item 10, .PDF, 540 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412332&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207.%20Tire%20Inflation%20Information%20from%20Pilot%27s%20Operating%20Manual-Master.PDF 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.