Probable cause
The failure of a nosewheel steering actuator arm, which resulted in a loss of control during the landing rollout.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during the landing rollout, as the nosewheel touched down, the airplane turned about 30° to the left. He applied right rudder; however, the airplane did not respond. As the airplane departed the runway into the wet grass, he applied the brakes, which “had little effect.” The airplane struck an embankment, nosed over, and sustained substantial damage to the horizontal and vertical stabilizers.
Examination of the airplane revealed that one of the nosewheel steering actuator arms was fractured.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA21LA358 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 13, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Abingdon, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Virginia Highlands (VJI)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Alon A2
- N-number
- N5644F
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1967
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.