COLUMBIA, SC, USA
N7392P
PIPER PA-24-250
AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO LOWER THE LANDING GEAR, THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A GEAR UP LANDING. EXAMINATION OF THE NOSE GEAR RETRACTION AND EXTENSION SYSTEM FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MATERIAL FAILURE. THE EXAMINATION OF THE NOSE GEAR DISCLOSED THAT THE ROLLER ALIGNER ASSEMBLY WAS DISPLACED OUTSIDE OF THE CENTERING TRACK, AND THE NOSE GEAR RETRACTED INTO THE WHEEL WELL AT AN ANGLE. NO NOSE GEAR ASSEMBLY COMPONENT SHOWED EXCESSIVE WEAR OR FRACTURES.
On June 4, 1995, at 1029 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-24- 250, N7392P, landed with the landing gear up after several low passes and attempts to lower the landing gear at Columbia Metropolitan Airport in Columbia, South Carolina. The personal flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with an instrument flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged; the pilot was not injured. The flight departed Winnsboro, South Carolina, at 0945 hours. Upon arriving at Columbia, the pilot discovered that the landing gear would not extend. After several attempts to lower the landing gear, the pilot elected to make a gear up landing. The airplane touched down and skidded 200 feet to a stop. The local fixed base operator recovered the airplane, and parked it on the ramp. An examination of the landing gear system, disclosed that the nose gear roller aligner assembly was positioned outside of the nose gear centering track. This position allowed the nose gear to retract into the wheel well at an angle. The examination of the nose gear retraction and extension assemblies failed to disclose a material failure. The exact means by which the misalignment occurred was not determined. The Pilot failed to complete and return NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report Report)as requested.
THE MISALIGNMENT OF THE NOSE GEAR CENTERING TRACK AND ROLLER ASSEMBLIES WHICH PRECLUDED LANDING GEAR EXTENSION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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