WPR19LA227

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, after the nosewheel touched down, the airplane “immediately” veered to the right and he was unable to regain control. The airplane continued off the side of the runway, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the airplane revealed that the steering linkage control rod exhibited bending of the threaded shaft and 45o shear lips and cupping on the fractured surface, consistent with a ductile overstress fracture. The left main landing gear collapse and the steering linkage and control rod fracture likely occurred during the accident sequence from side loads experienced during the runway excursion. The reason for the loss of control during landing could not be determined.

On August 19, 2019, about 1130 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-201 airplane, N43793, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Spokane, Washington. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the landing was “normal”; however, when the nose wheel touched down, the airplane “immediately turned right very sharply.” The pilot was unable to maintain directional control of the airplane and after exiting the right side of the runway, the left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing impacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the accident site revealed tire marks on the runway surface veering to the right and ending near the accident site. The airplane sustained buckling of the left upper wing surface and wing root area. The nose landing gear steering linkage and control rod was fractured. The control rod exhibited bending of the threaded shaft near the fracture and 45° shear lips and cupping on the fractured surface. The examination did not reveal any anomalies with the steering system that would have precluded normal operation.