# NTSB ERA14LA133: Piper PA-30, N931JS, Allentown, PA, February 16, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 16, 2014, 14:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Allentown, PA - Coordinates: 40.570278, -75.488334 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5703&lon=-75.4883&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 3, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88842 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14LA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88842/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88842 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA133 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that he simulated a right engine failure, which required the pilot receiving instruction to perform a single-engine, full-stop landing. The pilot receiving instruction maintained the correct airspeed on final but flared the airplane a little high, which resulted in a "solid touchdown." Shortly after touchdown, while the flight instructor was guarding the rudder pedals with his feet, the airplane veered heavily left, which he attempted to correct with full right rudder and brake. Runway skid marks indicated that the airplane yawed left as it continued to veer left and then collide with a snow bank off the left side of the runway. Postaccident examination of the nose landing gear steering system and the fractured left main landing gear trunnion revealed no evidence of preimpact failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. No mechanical reason for the loss of directional control was identified during postaccident examination. ## Factual narrative On February 16, 2014, about 1440 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-30, N931JS, experienced a loss of directional control during landing and collided with a snowbank at Allentown Queen City Municipal Airport (XLL), Allentown, Pennsylvania. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and commercial rated student were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to Hamilton Services Group, Inc., and was operated by Gateway Aviation, Ltd., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 5 minutes earlier from Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), Allentown, Pennsylvania. The CFI stated that the purpose of the flight was for the student to practice simulated single engine failures during various phases of flight. The flight departed from XLL about 1330, and flew to the practice area where the student performed airwork. The flight then proceeded to ABE, where the student successfully performed a simulated single engine full-stop landing. While taxiing for takeoff, the airplane encountered slush. The flight departed ABE returning to XLL where the flight joined the upwind leg for runway 25. The CFI reported that the wind at the time was approximately 5 knots within 20 degrees of runway heading, while a surface aviation observation from XLL about 5 minutes before the accident indicates in part the wind was from 290 degrees at 7 knots. The CFI simulated a failure of the right engine by bringing the right throttle to idle, which prompted the student to correct for and secure the 'failed' engine. He did perform the procedure correctly, and before turning onto crosswind, the CFI advanced the right throttle to 13 inches of manifold pressure (per the manufacturer's recommendation), and the flight continued in the traffic pattern for runway 25. The student applied the necessary aileron and rudder corrections to account for the 'failed' right engine, and turned onto final approach to runway 25. While on final approach with flaps fully extended to the landing position, the student kept the longitudinal axis of the airplane aligned with centerline, and maintained 'blue line' indicated airspeed plus ten knots. As the flight approached the runway the student flared a little high or early, with a resulting "solid touchdown" on the dry runway on the main landing gears. Though the CFI could tell the touchdown was going to be firm or harder than average, he didn't feel the need to take over the controls or initiate a go-around since the landing was no worse than others he has had in this aircraft in the past. While guarding the rudder pedals with his feet, shortly, if not immediately after touchdown, the aircraft pulled heavily to the left, which he (CFI) attempted to correct with full right rudder and right brake application. Having no affect the airplane continued to veer tothe left and collided with a snowbank off the left side of the runway at about 25 knots. The airplane was removed from the site for further examination. Postaccident inspection of the airplane following recovery by a FAA airworthiness inspector revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the nose landing gear steering system, or of the left main landing gear trunnion, which exhibited evidence of overload fracture. The FAA inspector also reported observing skid marks on the runway from all three landing gear tires; the skid mark from the nose landing gear tire was very close to the skid mark made by the left main landing gear tire, consistent with the airplane yawing to the left. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N931JS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N931JS-2018-02-26), registration cancelled 2018-02-26, S/N 30-1826, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30 - Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30-1826 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 5560 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Gateway Aviation, Ltd. - Registered owner: Hamilton Services Group, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 2013 - Departed: ABE, Allentown, PA - Destination: XLL, Allentown, PA - Airport: XLL, Allentown Queen City Municipal, runway 25, 3,949 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 27; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 26, 2013; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 6,450 total, 74 in this make and model, 4,263 as pilot in command, 103 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 18; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 28, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 167 total, 8 in this make and model, 123 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 3 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: XLL ## 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 20140216001299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140216001299A), Feb 16, 2014: Piper PA-30, Allentown, PA, Substantial damage. Instructional flight. Aircraft landed kxll rwy 25, departed left edge of runway just past intersection, impact low snowbank. Elevator, aileron, rudder, and… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 29, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88842. 7.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 292 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411651&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report and Record (item 2, .PDF, 205 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411652&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report%20and%20Record-Master.PDF - Record of NTSB Conversations (item 3, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411654&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20NTSB%20Conversations-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Depicting the Skid Marks on the Runway from All Landing Gear Tires. Note the proximity of the distance Between the Nose and Left Main Landing Gear. (item 4, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411649&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Depicting%20the%20Skid%20Marks%20on%20the%20Runway%20from%20All%20Landing%20Gear%20Tires.%20Note%20the%20proximity%20of%20the%20distance%20Between%20the%20Nose%20and%20Left%20Main%20Landing%20Gear.-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Depicting the Fractured Left Main Landing Gear Trunnion. (item 5, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411656&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Depicting%20the%20Fractured%20Left%20Main%20Landing%20Gear%20Trunnion.-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.