Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Pacific Contractors LLC
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Accident Number: WPR22LA147
Date and Time: April 6, 2022, 14:45 Local
Registration: N733EJ
Aircraft: Cessna 172N
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot of the airplane reported that, during the landing roll the airplane veered left unexpectedly. The pilot applied corrective action with rudder input, but the airplane continued to veer left, exited the left side of the runway, impacted a ditch, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift strut, vertical stabilizer and rudder.
Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that, the bolt, spacer, nut and cotter pin connecting the upper torque link and the lower torque link was missing and not observed with the wreckage. It further revealed that the upper and lower torque links were not damaged. Damage to the nose gear and the right main gear was consistent with impact damage when the airplane exited the runway and impacted a ditch.
A review of the airplane maintenance records did not reveal any recent maintenance conducted on the nose landing gear torque links.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The loss of directional control during the landing roll, due to missing hardware which resulted in the separation of the nose landing gear torque links.
Findings
Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft Fasteners - Incorrect service/maintenance
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing-flare/touchdown Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 70,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: November 8, 2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: January 27, 2022
Flight Time: (Estimated) 3100 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1000 hours (Total, this make and model), 2946 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 48 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 40 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1.3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Passenger Information
Certificate:
Age:
Airplane Rating(s):
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s):
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s):
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification:
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N733EJ
Model/Series: 172N
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1976
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Utility
Serial Number: 17268235
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: March 17, 2022 Annual Certified
Max Gross Wt.: 2550 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 160 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRYN, 2418 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 14:47 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 39°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots / 17 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 310°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C / -5°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Marana, AZ (KAVQ)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Eloy, AZ (E60)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 14:30 Local
Type of Airspace: Class D
Airport Information
Airport: Ryan Field Airport RYN
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 2398 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 33
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4010 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Touch and go
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 32.142211,-111.17457 (est)
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