20180909015679I

On September 9, 2018, the right main landing gear departed N2496X during the initial climb while departing runway 9 at Beverly, MA (bvy) at approximately 1706 local time. Beverly tower was advised by an aircraft on the ground waiting to depart that the right main had just fell off the departing aircraft. After informing N2496X of the issue, the solo student pilot told the tower she wanted to come back for landing. While N2496X flew in the pattern, the student?s flight instructor was brought into the tower cab to talk the student pilot through what will happen during the landing with the missing right main landing gear. After touch down on runway 9 at bvy, the aircraft veered off the left side of the runway into a grass area. The lower right engine cowl impacted the taxiway b directional sign and the right wing impacted several runway and taxiway lights. The aircraft came to rest approximately 100 feet north of the runway 9 center line with the nose of the aircraft facing south. The right main landing gear was recovered approximately 30 feet south of the runway 9 edge abeam taxiway f. the student pilot was able to self extricate and sustained no injuries.

Weather information:

At the estimated time of the accident bvy reported the weather as wind out of 030 degrees at 5 knots, 10 statute miles of visibility, clear skies, a temperature of 14 degrees celsius, a dew point of 7 degrees celsius and an altimeter of 30.30 inches of mercury.

Pilot information:

The pilot holds a student pilot certificate. Her third class medical certificate is dated 09/06/2017 with no limitations.

Aircraft information:

The aircraft is a 1985 Piper PA-28-161, serial number 28-8516071 with 19,527 total airframe hours. The aircraft is equipped with a Lycoming O-320 series engine, which produces 180 horsepower. Additional aircraft information will be updated once the aircraft maintenance records are obtained from the operator.

Wreckage information:

There was damage to the lower right engine cowl from impact with the taxiway b direction sign as well as damage to an air filter case inside the cowl from the impact. There are numerous impact sites on the right wing, right flap, and right aileron from impacting runway and taxiway lights as well as the ground. There is visible damage to approximately 3 ribs on the right wing along with a 6 in gash just outboard of the right wing fuel tank from striking a taxiway light. The step attached to the fuselage aft of the right wing partially separated from the aircraft with a 1 inch diameter hole in the fuselage skin just aft of the step. The upper and lower skin of the inboard trailing edge of the right flaps was separated and there are multiple impact dents on the right leading edge and underside of the stabilator. The lower gear assembly bolt, that holds landing gear wheel to the landing gear strut, was found on runway 9 approximately 900 feet from the runway threshold and the nut, with the cotter pin still attached, was found on runway 9 approximately 500 feet from the runway threshold.