Piper PA-24-250 N6976P
13 October 1994 · Lone Pine, California, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 13 October 1994 at about 23:05 local time, a Piper PA-24-250 registered N6976P, operated by William C. Rowles, was involved in an accident near Lone Pine, California, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 23:05
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Lone Pine, California, United States
- Nearest airport
- Lone Pine (O26)
- Coordinates
- 36.5598, -118.0509
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-24-250
- Registration
- N6976P
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- William C. Rowles
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Unknown → Chino
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX95LA006
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF, RESULTING IN A PREMATURE LIFT-OFF. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE STEERING LINKAGE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT SAID HE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEMS DURING THE GROUND ROLL. THE AIRPLANE DID NOT SEEM TO RESPOND TO RIGHT RUDDER INPUTS, AND HE LIFTED OFF EARLY TO AVOID DEPARTING THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PAVEMENT. THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT HAVE ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND SETTLED BACK TO THE GROUND IN A LEFT DRIFT. THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRCRAFT SPUN AROUND TO A STOP. THE MANAGER AT THE AIRPORT EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND REPORTED THAT THE NOSE GEAR APPEARED TO BE INTACT. THE RIGHT LINKAGE WHICH CONNECTS THE NOSE GEAR STEERING COLLAR TO THE RUDDER PEDALS WAS BROKEN, WITH A PIECE MISSING. HE ALSO REPORTED THAT HE INSPECTED THE TAXIWAY AND RUNWAY, BUT DID NOT FIND THE MISSING PIECE. IN HIS REPORT, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE MISSING PIECE WAS FOUND 50 FT WEST OF THE CRASH SITE. HE STATED THAT THE FRACTURE FACE EXHIBITED A RUST-COLORED APPEARANCE OVER ABOUT 1/2 OF THE FRACTURE, WITH THE REMAINDER SHINY IN APPEARANCE. THE PART WAS NOT PROVIDED TO NTSB FOR EXAMINATION AS REQUESTED.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper PA-24 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Feb 1994 | Piper PA-24-250 | Kinston, North Carolina, United States | Shnur, Morris | No injuries | - |
| 27 Sep 1994 | Piper PA-24-260 | Fullerton, California, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 2 Apr 1994 | Piper PA-24-180 | Boone, North Carolina, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 10 Sep 1994 | Piper PA-24-250 | North Anson, Maine, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 24 May 1994 | Piper PA-24-250 | Foley, Alabama, United States | Lowdermilk, Stephen M. | Minor injuries | - |
| 3 Oct 1994 | Piper PA-24-250 | Montgomery, New York, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
All 2,700 records for this type
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Sep 1994 | Piper PA-28R-201 | Fort Bragg, California, United States | Sundance Flying Club | Serious injuries | - |
| 12 May 1994 | Schweizer G-164B | Yuba City, California, United States | Sutter Butte Dusters, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 3 Sep 1994 | Cessna T210L | Kettleman City, California, United States | Willie Alves Rodrigues | No injuries | - |
| 13 May 1994 | Maule M-5-235C | Columbia, California, United States | White, James L. | No injuries | - |
| 19 May 1994 | Cessna 150L | Rio Linda, California, United States | Hinckley, Thomas, F. | Serious injuries | - |
| 23 Sep 1994 | Robinson R-22 | Chico, California, United States | Sierra Aviation | No injuries | - |