Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-140 near Chino, CA — 2010-12-10

Final reportWPR11LA074
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Date
2010-12-10
Location
Chino, CA, USA
Airport
CNO
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-140
Registration
N5800U
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Taxi

Probable cause

Fatigue cracking of the upper torque-link attach lugs on the left main landing gear strut, which resulted in separation of the left main landing gear during taxi.

NTSB narrative

The certified flight instructor and student pilot had just performed a soft-field landing. During the subsequent rollout, they noted that the airplane was not taxiing as expected. As the airplane exited the runway, it dropped onto its left wing and spun to the left. Examination of the left main landing gear revealed that the upper torque-link attachment lugs had detached from the landing gear strut, causing separation of the wheel assembly and subsequent substantial damage to the left wing. Further metallurgical examination of the strut revealed evidence of preexisting fatigue cracks to the upper torque-link attachment lugs. The airplane manufacturer issued a Service Bulletin about 8 years prior to the accident requiring inspection of the lugs in the area of failure. No evidence was found suggesting that the Service Bulletin had been complied with.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Maintenance
First missed decision gate
Failure to perform required maintenance inspections as per Service Bulletin 1131.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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