Piper PA-22-160 N8877D accident near Sealy, Texas

Probable cause

The failure of the nose wheel during landing that resulted in a loss of directional control and impact with terrain.

NTSB analysis

The pilot and flight instructor departed from a grass airstrip and performed flight training maneuvers in the local area prior to returning to the airstrip. During the landing to the airstrip with no wind present, the airplane nose wheel turned right, and it did not respond to control inputs. The airplane departed the runway surface and impacted terrain. The airplane came to rest in a nose-down attitude on a grass field near the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, and the nose wheel was found collapsed. The flight instructor stated that the nose wheel had failed during the landing, and it did not respond to rudder inputs.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN26LA078 for the full record.