Pilot Debrief

Piper PA-22-150 near Talkeetna, AK — 2019-08-29

Final reportANC19LA047
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Date
2019-08-29
Location
Talkeetna, AK, USA
Airport
TKA
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-150
Registration
N7236D
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

A failure of the aft left weld-on fuselage landing gear fitting due to a poor weld joint.

NTSB narrative

While dragging an off-airport landing site, the flight instructor heard an audible "pop" and noticed a partial separation of the left main landing gear. After returning to the departure airport, he conducted a fly by and was told that the left main landing gear was loose. The pilot conducted an emergency landing, which resulted in a ground loop and substantial damage to the fuselage. Postaccident examination revealed that the aft left welded-on fuselage landing gear fitting had separated from the fuselage at the welding point. Examination of the fractured weld surfaces revealed an unacceptable weld filet profile, which included incomplete fusion, a lack of penetration, and gross porosity in the weld deposit.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Inspect landing gear before flight to ensure structural integrity.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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