Piper PA-46-350P N9254X

Summary

On 24 February 1998 at about 21:35 local time, a Piper PA-46-350P registered N9254X was involved in an accident near Dallas, Texas, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 February 1998 at 21:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Dallas, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Dallas Love (DAL)

Coordinates

32.8710, -96.8801

Aircraft

Piper PA-46-350P

Registration

N9254X

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lampasas → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98LA139

Nobody was injured.

The nose gear collapsed for an undetermined reason. A factor was the total electrical failure due to the separation of the alternator output lugs resulting from inadequate maintenance.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the landing roll, the nose gear collapsed. On a previous flight and during the approach on this flight, the aircraft experienced a total electrical failure. Following the first electrical failure, the battery was replaced by company maintenance personnel and the electrical system checked operational per the manufacturer procedures. The airframe Maintenance Manual inspection checklist states in part: Inspect wiring to engine and accessories, replace damaged wires and clamps, and inspect terminals for security. The section of the maintenance manual describing servicing the electrical system in part states: 'The security of all electrical connections should be checked.' Examination of the accident airplane revealed that the output lugs were broken off both alternators. NTSB Metallurgical examination of the fracture surfaces revealed 'no discernable fracture features. Both parts contained evidence of electrical arcing that caused significant melting of the separated ends.' A post-accident landing gear retraction test revealed no evidence of discrepancies with the landing gear system. Time since the last annual inspection was 12.7 hours.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.