# NTSB LAX91LA398: Piper PA-60-602P, Pago Pago, Antarctica, September 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1991, 17:14 local (Sep 20, 1991, 03:14 UTC)
- Place: Pago Pago, Antarctica
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27362
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA398
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27362/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA398

## Probable cause

THE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE WHEEL/GEAR STEERING SYSTEM. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL FOLLOWING THE LOSS OF STEERING EFFECTIVENESS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - failure,partial (cause)
  - nosewheel steering - not possible, pilot in command
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
  - terrain condition - ravine

## Analysis

DURING LANDING ROLLOUT THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH BUSHES AND A STORM DRAIN.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT ALL SYSTEMS HAD OPERATED NORMALLY EARLIER IN THE FLIGHT.  THE REASON FOR THE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE NOSE WHEEL/GEAR STEERING SYSTEM WAS NOT ESTABLISHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: VHUYX (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-60-602P
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 60-8265003
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-AA15 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Apollo Air P/L
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PPG, Pago Pago Intl., runway 5, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; foreign, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,650 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 3,550 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

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.

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