System / Component Malfunction / Failure (Non-Power): Piper PA-28RT-201T Arrow IV, N8320H; accident occurred February 02, 2020 at Page Field Airport (KFMY), Fort Myers, Florida

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Tampa, Florida

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/N8320H

Location: Fort Myers, FL
Accident Number: ERA20CA103
Date & Time: 02/02/2020, 1600 EST
Registration: N8320H
Aircraft: Piper PA28RT
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

At the conclusion of an uneventful flight, the commercial pilot approached the runway for landing. During touchdown, the airplane veered right and the left wing contacted the runway before the airplane came to rest. During the accident sequence the left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing and fuselage were substantially damaged. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right main landing gear wheel assembly was free to rotate about the strut, and the bolt securing the torque link had fractured and had a corroded appearance. The landing gear and separated bolt were not examined in further detail.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 61, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/19/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  692.5 hours (Total, all aircraft), 395.6 hours (Total, this make and model), 599.8 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 14.9 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 10.6 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N8320H
Model/Series: PA28RT 201T
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 28R-8131057
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 07/28/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2900 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 8363.4 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: TSIO-360-FB
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 201 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: FMY, 18 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1553 EST
Direction from Accident Site: 159°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 300°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.13 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C / 8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Venice, FL (VNC)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Fort Myers, FL (FMY)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1553 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: Page Field (FMY)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 17 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 31
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4912 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 26.587222, -81.861944 (est)