Summary
On August 30, 2009, a Warner Lewis STEEN (N3278K) was involved in an incident near Broomfield, CO. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's inability to maintain directional control due to an internal mechanical failure of the left wheel that caused the wheel to seize.
The pilot said that during the takeoff roll on runway 29R, at approximately 35 mph, the airplane veered hard to the left. He tried to regain control by applying full right brake and aileron and reducing power but to no avail. The airplane departed the left side of the runway. The right wing struck PAPI (precision approach path indicator) lights and the airplane came to a halt southeast of taxiway A2.
Post-accident examination by a mechanic and an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed an internal mechanical failure of the left wheel. The wheel seized and the tire rolled off its rim. Sideloads caused the right main landing gear to fail.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN09CA553. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N3278K.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inability to maintain directional control due to an internal mechanical failure of the left wheel that caused the wheel to seize.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot said that during the takeoff roll on runway 29R, at approximately 35 mph, the airplane veered hard to the left. He tried to regain control by applying full right brake and aileron and reducing power but to no avail. The airplane departed the left side of the runway. The right wing struck PAPI (precision approach path indicator) lights and the airplane came to a halt southeast of taxiway A2.
Post-accident examination by a mechanic and an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed an internal mechanical failure of the left wheel. The wheel seized and the tire rolled off its rim. Sideloads caused the right main landing gear to fail.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN09CA553