The pilot was approaching the runway at the airport in Monticello, N.Y., for landing and stated that the initial touchdown and landing roll were uneventful.
After the first 100 feet, the Piper PA-24 began to pull to the left, and the right main landing gear collapsed.
During a post-accident examination of the right main landing gear, the pilot discovered a small nail had punctured the tire and inner tube.
An examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed the horizontal stabilizer and empennage had been substantially damaged during the accident.
The FAA inspector also confirmed the punctured tire and inner tube. Additionally, he discovered nails on the pilot’s hangar floor that were identical to the nail that was found in the airplane’s tire.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection which resulted in a failure of the right main landing gear tire on landing rollout, a subsequent loss of directional control, and landing gear collapse.
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This June 2021 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
I will add that during the FAA’s investigation they discovered that the airport in question does not even have a FOD program and it is a 139 airport. None of that seems to ever make it into their reports Yes let’s go ahead and blame the pilot, Not the management, or lack of oversight by the FAA. Yes there is junk everywhere on this airport I also was involved in the repair of this aircraft. Multiple complaints to the authorities have resulted in nothing screws nuts bolts washers nails rusty pieces of the hangers that by the way are falling apart.
General aviation news needs to do more research before publishing their articles. I was involved with this incident and the preflight was properly done. The nail was picked up on the tarmac in front of the hangers along with many other pieces of fod. The article should be about how the faa is quick to blame the pilot and not hold the airport accountable for the lack of fod control.