Piper PA 46-350P N110ST accident near St. Louis, Missouri

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with hydroplaning conditions.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that while landing on a wet runway and as he applied brakes during the landing roll, the airplane began to hydroplane, and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane veered left and exited the side of the runway coming to a stop in the grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the airplane’s maintenance records revealed that Piper Aircraft Service Bulletin (SB) 1103F (a recurring inspection of the engine mount for cracks every 100 hours) was complied with only once in the airplane’s service history, which was about 437 hours before the accident occurred. Based on the available information, it was undetermined if any preexisting defects in the engine mount contributed to nose landing gear collapse. The pilot reported the accident could have been prevented by “not applying brakes” and allowing a “continued roll out.”

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN21LA312 for the full record.