Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The improper servicing of the left main landing gear tire which resulted in it having low air pressure and the pilot's inability to maintain directional control on landing. A factor associated with the accident was the ditch.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On September 16, 2000, at 0745 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N33036, was substantially damaged when it traveled off the west side of runway 36 (4,000 feet by 75 feet, dry asphalt) while landing at the Morris Municipal Airport, Morris, Illinois. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated from Wheeling, Illinois, at 0715 central daylight time.
The pilot was unable to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. The nose gear collapsed and the left main gear was twisted when the airplane traveled off the west side of the runway and collided with a ditch.
An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration West Chicago, Illinois, Flight Standards District Office, examined the airplane. The inspector reported the left main gear tire was found to be flat. There were no holes found in the tire. The pilot stated he serviced all three landing gear tires prior to takeoff.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI00LA299