# NTSB IAD97LA092: Piper PA-32R-300, N5716F, Defiance, OH, June 21, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 20, 1997, 20:50 local (Jun 21, 1997, 00:50 UTC) - Place: Defiance, OH - Coordinates: 41.279373, -84.36058 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2794&lon=-84.3606&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 15, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28208 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97LA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28208/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA092 ## Probable cause The failure of a wheel rim due to overstress separation with no clear evidence initiating event. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,wheel - failure (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) ## Analysis At 65 knots, the pilot rotated the airplane and simultaneously heard a loud bang and felt a severe left pull. The pilot applied right rudder and brake to stop the left drift; however, the airplane departed the runway, continued across a grassy area, then across an asphalt taxi way, and came to a stop in an upright attitude. A 100 hour inspection had been completed just prior to the flight, and an examination of the left main wheel found a 6 inch section of the inner wheel rim missing. A 2 inch piece of the inner wheel was found about 565 feet from the approach end of the runway. Microscopic examination revealed 'no clear evidence of fatigue...and the fracture appears to have failed by overstress separation.' ## Factual narrative On June 20, 1997, about 2050 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-300, N5716F, was substantially damaged as it veered off the runway during an aborted takeoff at the Defiance County Airport (DFI), Defiance, Ohio. The certificated commercial pilot and the two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A 100 hour inspection was completed on the airplane prior to the flight from the Port Columbus International Airport (CMH) to DFI. The pilot stated that as he taxied at CMH, the left brake appeared to be dragging, so he checked the parking brake handle in. The brake responded and no noises were heard. After landing at DFI, an A&P mechanic watched as the airplane taxied and stated that he heard clicking noises emanating from the left wheel area. Upon shutdown, the pilot inspected the wheel area and saw nothing out of the ordinary. The pilot reported that he did not feel or hear anything as he taxied or during the initial takeoff roll at DFI. At 65 knots, the pilot rotated and simultaneously heard a loud bang and felt a severe pull to the left. Witnesses along the runway stated that they heard a loud bang and thought it was the engine backfiring. The pilot applied right rudder and brake to stop the left drift as the airplane departed the runway. The pilot stated that he held the nose of the airplane up as long as possible and then pulled the throttle to idle. The airplane came to rest in an upright position. Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors examined the wreckage and reported that the skid marks and ground scars indicated that the airplane departed the runway about 1,130 feet from the approach end of runway 30. Off the runway, the tracks went across a grassy area and crossed a asphalt taxiway, and continued 300 feet to where the airplane came to rest. Ground scars prior to the raised lip of the asphalt taxiway, and the location of the left main landing gear strut and wheel/tire assembly indicated that the left main landing gear separated from the airplane as it transitioned from the grassy area up onto the taxiway. The Inspectors reported the left horizontal stabilizer damage contained crushing and scratches similar in shape as the left main landing gear strut. Examination of the left main wheel revealed a 6 inch section of the inner wheel rim missing. While measuring skid marks, a 2 inch piece of the inner wheel was located approximately 565 feet from the approach end of the runway. The left main tire and its inner tube contained a cut above the bead area where the section of inner wheel was missing. The inner wheel half and the 2 inch piece of the inner wheel were sent to the Materials Laboratory of the National Transportation Safety Board. The Materials Laboratory report indicated that "No clear evidence of fatigue could be found and the fracture appears to have failed by overstress separation." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5716F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5716F), registered now, S/N 32R 7780018, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32R-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-7780018 - Airframe hours: 2882 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Phoenix Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1997, 2 hours before - Departed: DFI - Destination: BKL, CLEVELAND, OH - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: DFI, Defiance Memorial, runway 30, 4,197 × 72 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 502 total, 62 in this make and model, 448 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 12 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19970620015339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970620015339A), Jun 20, 1997: Piper PA32R300, Defiance, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported that during take-off roll on runway 30 at Defiance memorial (CFI) left main tire went flat. The left main wheel inner half was noted to… ## Other investigations on N5716F (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 NYC94LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA105), Jul 2, 1994: Piper PA-32R-300 (N5716F), Put-In-Bay, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE CONTROL AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN COLLISION WITH A SIGN. 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.