Piper PA-34-220T N6XT accident near Kissimmee, Florida

Probable cause

Fracture of the left main landing gear trunnion during landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control during landing and subsequent runway excursion.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that after an uneventful final approach, during the landing, the airplane made an immediate uncontrolled right turn after touching down. The pilot applied left rudder input and added full engine power, but the airplane went off the right side of the runway, through a fence, and impacted trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, engine mounts, and elevator. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right main landing gear axle was bent and the left main landing gear trunnion had cracked in half. Examination of the left main landing gear trunnion’s fracture features revealed that they exhibited signatures consistent with overstress separation. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA26LA189 for the full record.