SEA99LA169

The commercial pilot was landing the aircraft on a remote grass runway. Shortly after touch down, the aircraft rolled over a rut, and the airplane veered to the right of the runway. The pilot stated that he was unable to correct the situation and the aircraft continued off the runway, subsequently separating the nose gear. The aircraft came to rest in a sloping grassy area adjacent to the landing runway. No evidence was found to indicate a mechanical malfunction or failure with the aircraft that contributed to the accident.

On September 1, 1999, approximately 0900 Pacific daylight time, a Beech J-35, N7299B, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14CFR91 personal/pleasure flight, was substantially damaged while landing at Red's Wallowa airstrip, located 15 nautical miles northeast of Union, Oregon. The commercial pilot and his two passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Walla Walla Regional Airport, Walla Walla, Washington, approximately 30 minutes prior to the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the cross-country flight.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that shortly after touchdown, during the landing roll, the aircraft "hit a ditch or a hole which changed our roll direction to the right into the high grass." He stated that due to high vegetation and rough terrain, he was unable to correct the situation and the aircraft traveled down a grassy slope adjacent to the runway. After encountering the rough terrain, the aircraft's nose gear separated and the forward section of the fuselage impacted the ground. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

A pilot rated witness stated that the accident aircraft touched down to the right side (west) of the airstrip and proceeded down the embankment adjacent to the landing area.

The pilot reported that a mechanic, who looked at the aircraft after the accident, stated that the nose gear broke off on a weld, and it appeared that the weld was flawed.

The landing gear assembly was shipped to the National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory, Washington, DC, for further examination. The specialist reported that the fractures were indicative of overstress and there was no evidence of preexisting cracks.