# NTSB SEA87LA053: Piper PA-46-310-P, N4323N, Bremerton, WA, November 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1986, 18:30 local (Nov 9, 1986, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Bremerton, WA
- Location: 47.4903° N, 122.7648° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BREMERTON NTL (PWT), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4903&lon=-122.7648&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40589
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40589/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA053

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - failure,partial (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, manufacturer (cause)
  - insufficient standards/requirements,airman, manufacturer (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE NOSE GEAR DID NOT TURN THE FULL 90 DEGREES PRIOR TO LOCKING FOR LANDING. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT'S NOSE WAS LOWERED DURING LANDING ROLL THIS CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO VEER TO THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE NOSE GEAR HAD BECOME STIFF DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT PROVIDED ANY METHOD TO LUBRICATE THE TRUNION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4323N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-46-310-P (PA-46-310-)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46-8408011
- Airframe hours: 619
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-BE 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Curtis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 2, 1986
- Departed: BFI, SEATTLE, WA
- Destination: PWT, BREMERTON, WA
- Airport: PWT, Ktsap, runway 1, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 850 total, 460 in this make and model, 680 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °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 19861108074169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861108074169A), Nov 8, 1986: Piper PA46310P, Bremerton, WA, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered off the runway on landing. Nose wheel cocked. Manufacturer did not design lubrication access.

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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