Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-201T near Santa Ana, CA — 2011-01-21

Final reportWPR11LA108
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Date
2011-01-21
Location
Santa Ana, CA, USA
Airport
SNA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-201T
Registration
N47589
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The failure of the left main landing gear due to the lack of lubrication.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, when he put the landing gear down, he did not receive an indication in the cockpit that the nosewheel was engaged. He recycled the landing gear but still did not receive an indication that the gear was engaged. He then flew by the air traffic control tower and the controller reported that the landing gear appeared to be down; however, on the landing roll, the left main landing gear collapsed. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that components of the main landing gear retraction system lacked recent lubrication. The grease fittings on the components had been painted over, and there was no evidence of grease on the movable parts. The landing gear’s ball joints and movable surfaces all appeared to be dry. The lack of lubrication prevented the left main landing gear from locking in the down position, resulting in its collapse during the landing roll.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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