NTSB Factual Report

On June 14, 2004, approximately 1258 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N6867P, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during landing at Ogden-Hinckley Airport (OGD), Ogden, UT. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A visual flight rules flight plan had been filed for the cross-country training flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight departed from Page Municipal Airport (PGA), Page, AZ, approximately 1115.

According to the pilot's accident report, he made a normal landing on runway 34. He wrote, "The wheels were down on the ground for about 3 to 4 seconds. Then the airplane jerked to the left. It went airborne, and I immediately added a little power to keep the nose wheel from bouncing. Once it touched [back down] on the ground I reduced power. I began applying small amounts of right rudder, but the plane would not turn to the right. The plane kept turning to the left and I had no control over it." The airplane went off the left side of the runway. The right main landing gear collapsed. The right wing struck the ground and was dragged through the dirt, buckling the right wing and firewall.

An FAA air safety inspector went to the accident site and examined the airplane. He reported finding the nose wheel fork and scissors broken. He said the nose wheel fork exhibited an "overload bending fracture." He also noted S-shaped skid marks on the runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

fracture and subsequent total failure of the nose gear strut. A contributing factor was the pilot not being able to control the airplane.