# NTSB ERA15LA289: Piper PA-28R-180, N4631J, Fort Lauderdale, FL, July 23, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 23, 2015, 16:05 local (20:05 UTC) - Place: Fort Lauderdale, FL - Coordinates: 26.196111, -80.168052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1961&lon=-80.1681&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 29, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91658 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15LA289 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91658/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91658 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA289 ## Probable cause The undetected fatigue cracks in the engine and nose landing gear (NLG) strut mount assembly, which prevented the proper alignment of the NLG after it was extended and the pilots from being able to maintain directional control after touchdown. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Power plant: mounts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057120): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057120/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057120/cases.md) - [Power plant: mounts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057120): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057120/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057120/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor and pilot-rated passenger were conducting an instructional flight. The flight instructor reported that, after conducting some airwork, he attempted to extend the landing gear as part of the prelanding checklist, but he did not receive a down-and-locked indication for the nose landing gear (NLG). He performed the emergency gear extension procedure twice, and, during the second attempt, the NLG moved to the down-and-locked position, but a left yaw was present, and the left rudder pedal had moved fully forward, which required an abnormal amount of right rudder input. The flight instructor performed a low pass over the runway, and company personnel informed him that the NLG appeared to be deflected left. He returned to the airport and performed a soft-field landing and secured the engine after touchdown. When the NLG contacted the runway, the airplane veered left off the runway and then came to rest upright. Postaccident examination of the engine and NLG strut mount assembly revealed fatigue fractures on both sides of the mount near the NLG pivot, which prevented the proper alignment of the NLG after it was extended and the pilots from being able to maintain directional control of the airplane after landing. The complete maintenance records were not available; therefore, the time on the engine and NLG mount assembly could not be determined. Although the available maintenance records did reveal that the engine and NLG strut mount assembly had been inspected as part of the annual inspection performed about 15 hours before the accident flight, the location of the fatigue cracks and color of the mount assembly likely would have made detecting the preexisting cracks difficult. ## Factual narrative On July 23, 2015, about 1605 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180, N4631J, experienced a runway excursion while landing with an unsafe nose landing gear indication at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE), Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The flight instructor and pilot-rated student were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was owned by FlyDreams Aircraft Corporation, and operated by SkyEagle Aviation Academy, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, as a local, instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from FXE about 1330. The flight instructor stated that after completing the last maneuver as part of the "Pre-Landing checks" he noticed the landing gear transition light was on. He then lowered the landing gear and did not get a down and locked indication from the nose landing gear. He performing the emergency gear extension but still did not get a down and locked indication. He established contact with the flight school, and then proceeded to FXE where he performed a low pass. He departed the area and performed emergency extension of the landing gear which resulted in down and locked indication from all landing gears, but noticed a left yaw. He also reported the left rudder pedal was fully forward, which required an abnormal amount of right rudder input. He performed another low pass at FXE and was informed by company personnel that the nose landing gear appeared to be deflected to the left. He returned to FXE where he performed a soft field landing. He secured the engine after touchdown, and when the nose landing gear contacted the runway, the airplane veered to the left and came to rest upright on taxiway G. Post-accident examination of the airplane showed the engine and nose gear strut mount assembly, part number 67119-049, was fractured several inches on each side of the aircraft centerline in the area of the nose landing gear pivot location. The fractured section was retained for further examination by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Materials Laboratory. According to the NTSB Materials Laboratory Factual Report, both fracture surfaces exhibited fatigue cracks that emanated from multiple origins on the outer surface that propagated through the wall of the tube portion. A copy of the NTSB Materials Laboratory Factual Report is contained in the NTSB public docket. The airplane was purchased by the operator on June 30, 2015. Before purchase, an overhauled engine was installed and an annual inspection was signed off as being completed. The airplane total time at the annual inspection was 8,524.4 hours. Since the annual inspection had been performed, the airplane had been operated for about 15 hours. The airplane was manufactured in 1968, and according to the operator, the only maintenance records that were available were from August 1994, to present. Of the available maintenancerecords, there was no record that the engine and nose gear strut mount assembly being replaced. No determination could be made as to the time on the engine and nose gear strut mount assembly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4631J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4631J), registered now, S/N 28R-30518, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-30518 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 8539.8 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: SkyEagle Aviation Academy - Registered owner: FlyDreams Aircraft Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 2015, 15 hours before - Departed: FXE, Fort Lauderdale, FL - Destination: FXE, Fort Lauderdale, FL - Airport: FXE, Fort Lauderdale Executive, runway 13, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 22; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 2, 2014; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 670 total, 8 in this make and model, 604 as pilot in command, 99 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 22; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 3, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 250 total, 5 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: FXE ## 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 20150723013479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150723013479A), Jul 23, 2015: Piper PA-28R-180, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Substantial damage. N4631J experienced a landing gear problem accompanied by a loss of steering 23 jul 2015 at Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport (fxe). The aircraft is a PA-28R-180… ## Other investigations on N4631J (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 IAD04CA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD04CA038), Aug 17, 2004: Piper PA-28R-180 (N4631J), Eliot, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed above stall which resulted in a hard landing and collapse of the landing gear. Also causal was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision. ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 10, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91658. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439921&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439922&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - NTSB Materials Laboratory Factual Report (item 3, .PDF, 4 photos, 499 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439923&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Materials%20Laboratory%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF - Excerpts from Airframe Logbook Entry For Overhaul Engine and Annual Inspection Entries (item 4, .PDF, 476 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439924&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20from%20Airframe%20Logbook%20Entry%20For%20Overhaul%20Engine%20and%20Annual%20Inspection%20Entries-Master.PDF - Excerpt from Engine Logbook for Last 100-Hour Inspection (item 5, .PDF, 382 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439925&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20Engine%20Logbook%20for%20Last%20100-Hour%20Inspection-Master.PDF - Statement from Operator Concerning Engine Mount (item 6, .PDF, 256 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439926&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20from%20Operator%20Concerning%20Engine%20Mount-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15, and NTSB Evidence Control Form (item 7, .PDF, 174 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439927&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15,%20and%20NTSB%20Evidence%20Control%20Form-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.