# NTSB LAX95LA006: Piper PA-24-250, N6976P, Lone Pine, CA, October 13, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 13, 1994, 16:05 local (23:05 UTC) - Place: Lone Pine, CA - Coordinates: 36.559833, -118.050941 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5598&lon=-118.0509&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 25, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28960 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28960/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA006 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF, RESULTING IN A PREMATURE LIFT-OFF. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE STEERING LINKAGE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,steering system - fractured (contributing factor) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - Main gear collapsed, takeoff - initial climb - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis THE PILOT SAID HE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEMS DURING THE GROUND ROLL. THE AIRPLANE DID NOT SEEM TO RESPOND TO RIGHT RUDDER INPUTS, AND HE LIFTED OFF EARLY TO AVOID DEPARTING THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PAVEMENT. THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT HAVE ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND SETTLED BACK TO THE GROUND IN A LEFT DRIFT. THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRCRAFT SPUN AROUND TO A STOP. THE MANAGER AT THE AIRPORT EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND REPORTED THAT THE NOSE GEAR APPEARED TO BE INTACT. THE RIGHT LINKAGE WHICH CONNECTS THE NOSE GEAR STEERING COLLAR TO THE RUDDER PEDALS WAS BROKEN, WITH A PIECE MISSING. HE ALSO REPORTED THAT HE INSPECTED THE TAXIWAY AND RUNWAY, BUT DID NOT FIND THE MISSING PIECE. IN HIS REPORT, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE MISSING PIECE WAS FOUND 50 FT WEST OF THE CRASH SITE. HE STATED THAT THE FRACTURE FACE EXHIBITED A RUST-COLORED APPEARANCE OVER ABOUT 1/2 OF THE FRACTURE, WITH THE REMAINDER SHINY IN APPEARANCE. THE PART WAS NOT PROVIDED TO NTSB FOR EXAMINATION AS REQUESTED. ## Factual narrative On October 13, 1994, at 1605 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA24- 250, N6976P, collided with terrain following a loss of control during takeoff at Lone Pine, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident as a personal cross-country flight to Chino, California. The pilot reported that he was attempting a takeoff on runway 34 and began to experience directional control problems during the ground roll. The pilot stated that the airplane did not seem to respond to right rudder inputs and he lifted off early to avoid departing the left side of the pavement. The aircraft did not have sufficient airspeed and settled back to the ground in a left drift. The right main landing gear collapsed and the aircraft spun around to a stop. The manager at the Lone Pine airport examined the aircraft and reported that the nose gear appeared to be intact. The right hand rod which connects the nose gear steering collar to the rudder pedals was broken, with a piece missing. The manager reported that he inspected the taxiway and runway, but did not find the missing piece. In his written report, the pilot noted that the missing piece was found 50 feet west of the crash site. He stated that the fracture face exhibited a rust-colored appearance over about 1/2 of the fracture with the remainder shiny in appearance. The part was not surrendered to the National Transportation Safety Board for examination as requested. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6976P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6976P-1997-02-06), registration cancelled 1997-02-06, S/N 242119 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-2119 - Airframe hours: 4220 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William C. Rowles - Registered owner: W. Carl Rowles - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 6, 1994, 25 hours before - Departed: O26 - Destination: CNO, CHINO, CA - Airport: O26, Lone Pine, runway 34, 3,600 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 473 total, 265 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F ## 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 19941013034849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941013034849A), Oct 13, 1994: Piper PA24250, Lone Pine, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff. Lifted early to recover. Settled sideways. Folded gear. Steering rod broken. 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.