N103JH

Substantial
None

Piper PA-34S/N: 34-7570087

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, May 10, 2008
NTSB Number
LAX08CA157
Location
Blythe, CA
Event ID
20080627X00935
Coordinates
33.618057, -114.716667
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
3
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N103JH
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
34-7570087
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1975
Model / ICAO
PA-34PA34
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Multi Engine
No. of Engines
2

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
Address
ITE DEPT
Status
Deregistered
City
LOGAN
State / Zip Code
UT 84322
Country
United States

Analysis

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he made a normal approach to runway 26 and touched down at 95 miles per hour (mph). After decelerating to 70 mph, the airplane unexpectedly began drifting to the left. The pilot corrected the airplane to the right towards the centerline. The airplane crossed the centerline and continued to the right. He stated that the airplane's movement was not in proportion to his control inputs. He tried to correct the airplane back to the left, and it entered an out-of-control side skid on the runway. At 15 mph, the right main landing gear collapsed, followed by the left main and nose gear. The airplane stopped on a heading of 104 degrees, left of the runway centerline.

At 1353, the Blyth ASOS (Automated Surface Observation System) recorded winds from 090 at 4 knots.

The pilot reported that the airplane had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX08CA157