Service difficulty report · Horn · Pitcan PA4

Difficulty date
August 13, 2020
Submitted
October 8, 2020
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N115NX
Make and model
Pitcan PA4
Aircraft serial
4698115
Engine
Pwc PT6A42A
Part
Horn
Part number
85154012
Condition
Failed
Location
Steering System
Part time
33 hours
Stage of operation
TX
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
O

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

THE PILOT DELIVERING N115NX TO THE DEALER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF NOSE WHEEL STEERING CONTROL UPON LANDING, RESULTING IN THE AIRCRAFT MAKING A SEVERE TURN TO THE RIGHT. THE PLANE EXITED THE RUNWAY RUNNING THROUGH AN INFIELD AREA AND COMING TO REST ON A TAXIWAY. THE DAMAGE DUE TO THE RUNWAY EXCURSION REQUIRED REMOVAL AND REINSTALLATION OF THE ENGINE INLET SCREEN FOR FOD, REPLACEMENT OF THE PROPELLER AND REPLACEMENT OF THE NOSE WHEEL STEERING HORN. NEITHER PIPER NOR THE DEALER, CUTTER PHOENIX, DISCLOSED THE RUNWAY EXCURSION AND DAMAGE TO ME. THE PLANE WAS SOLD AS NEW WITH NO KNOWN DAMAGE. DURING MY FIRST LANDING WITH N115NX WE EXPERIENCED A VERY NEAR RUNWAY EXCURSION FOR THE SAME REASONS SURROUNDING THE FIRST EXCURSION. DURING PIPER TRAINING WITH LEGACY FLIGHT SCHOOL, THE TRAINER AND I HAD ANOTHER NEAR EXCURSION TAKING THE RIGHT MAIN WHEEL OFF THE RUNWAY EDGE. THE PIPER TRAINER INFORMED ME THAT HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME LOSS OF CONTROL WITH THE LAST M600 THAT HAD COME THROUGH LEGACY, PLANE 46-98110. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT TWO OTHER PLANES WITH CLOSE SERIAL NUMBERS EXPERIENCED RUNWAY EXCURSIONS, 46-98117 AND 46-98109.