Piper PA-32R-301 N801SP

Summary

On 26 August 1996 at about 20:45 local time, a Piper PA-32R-301 registered N801SP was involved in an accident near Stewartville, Minnesota, 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.

Date

26 August 1996 at 20:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Stewartville, Minnesota, United States

Nearest airport

Rochester Municipal (RST)

Coordinates

43.8500, -92.4809

Aircraft

Piper PA-32R-301

Registration

N801SP

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

St. Paul → Chattanooga

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI96LA317

1 person was seriously injured.

the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in a failure to reach the proper touchdown point for the landing. The fractured nose gear shimmy damper attaching collar and the jammed nose gear were related factors.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Shortly after climb out on an IFR flight plan, the pilot realized that he had a landing gear problem. He diverted to a nearby airport and made a fly-by past the tower. Tower personnel advised him that his nose gear was partially extended. On final approach for landing, the pilot shut off the engine to make a dead stick landing to avoid damaging the airplane. The airplane touched down on terrain 200 yards short of the runway threshold. Examination of the airplane revealed a fractured nose wheel shimmy damper attaching collar.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.