Aviation Accident Summary DEN92IA072

LAMAR, CO, USA

Aircraft #1

N3030K

PIPER PA-34-200T

Analysis

THE PILOT NOTED AN UNSAFE INDICATION AFTER LOWERING THE LANDING GEAR AND OBSERVED THROUGH A MIRROR THE NOSEWHEEL WAS NOT LOCKED. HE ELECTED TO LAND WHEELS UP. POST INCIDENT INSPECTION DISCLOSED THE BOLT THAT ATTACHES THE UPPER DRAG LINK TO THE NOSE GEAR TRUNNION HAD SHEARED. LABORATORY EXAMINATION DISCLOSED TORSIONAL BENDING FATIGUE TYPICAL OF HIGH CYCLE LOW LOAD FATIGUE.

Probable Cause and Findings

FRACTURED NOSE LANDING GEAR BOLT DUE TO FATIGUE.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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