ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL 114

Full Narrative

On April 19, 2014, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Rockwell International 114, N4890W, sustained substantial damage when it veered off the left side of Runway 06 while landing at the Kirsch Municipal Airport (IRS), Sturgis, Michigan. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operating on a flight plan. The airplane departed from the Fulton County Airport (RCR), Rochester, Indiana, about 1430.

The pilot reported that he applied full left rudder and right aileron during the approach for landing due to a right crosswind. He reported that the winds were steady below 400 feet above ground level from 100 degrees at 8 knots. When the nose landing gear touched down on the runway, the airplane immediately veered to the left. He applied full right rudder and right brake, but without effect. The airplane veered off the runway and the nose gear hit a hole, which resulted in the right wing impacting the terrain and sustaining substantial damage.

The examination of the nose landing gear steering system revealed that one of the pulleys on the right side of the nose landing gear was cracked and would not turn. Further examination revealed that it was possible for the steering cable to bind in the crack of the pulley and not allow the nose gear to move.