HICKORY, NC, USA
N4886T
PIPER PA-34-200
ACFT LANDED WITH THE NOSE GEAR RETRACTED. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE NOSE GEAR WAS HUNG UP IN THE WHEEL WELL BECAUSE AN AN4-12 BOLT, WHICH SECURED THE NOSE GEAR CENTERING SPRING ASS'Y, WAS HUNG UP IN THE GEAR DOOR LINKAGE. AN ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED 20 HRS PREVIOUS TO THE ACCIDENT AT WHICH TIME THE BOLT & BUSHINGS ON THE SHIMMY DAMPENER WERE REPLACED. THE PA-34 MAINT MANUAL INDICATES THAT THE CORRECT BOLT, A AN24-20A, SHOULD BE INSTALLED WITH THE BOLT HEAD DOWN & WITH A MS20364-428C LOCK NUT. THE BOLT THAT HUNG UP WAS INSTALLED WITH THE BOLT HEAD UP & WAS SECURED BY A CASTLENUT & COTTER KEY. PIPER SERVICE LETTER 852, DATED 9/14/78, ADDRESSED THE POTENTIAL IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE BOLT & ANNOUNCED THE AVAILABILITY OF A PLACARD TO REMIND MECHANICS OF THE REQUIRED METHOD OF INSTALLATION. THE SERVICE LETTER NOTES THAT WHEN THE BOLT IS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, NOSE GEAR OPERATION CAN BE RESTRICTED IN THE GEAR UP POSITION. THE NON-MANDATORY SERVICE LETTER HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH IN N4886T.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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