# Incident 20231114020169I: Piper PA-32-301T, New Bern, NC, November 14, 2023

- Type: FAA incident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 14, 2023, 11:30 local time
- Place: New Bern, NC
- Airport: Coastal Carolina Regional
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.0729° N, 77.0430° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at COASTAL CAROLINA RGNL (EWN), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0729&lon=-77.0430&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1963J, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1963J) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-32-301T (registry code 7103209, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301t) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming TI0-540 series (registry code 41533, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301T
- Reported engine: LYCOMING TI0-540 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 2,450 total
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231114020169I

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

PILOT REPORTED TO INVESTIGATORS A THUMPING TYPE NOISE ON APPROCH TO EWN. UPON LANDING HE NOTICE THE LEFT WING WAS DROPPING AND CONSIDERED IT TO BE A FLAT TIRE. HE REPORTED THAT AT ONE POINT SOMETHING ELSE MUST BE WRONG AS THE LEFT WING WAS DROPPING LOWER THAN NORMAL. THE LEFT LOWER LANDING GEAR LEG PISTON (WHICH INCLUDES THE AXLE, WHEEL AND BRAKE ASSEMBLY) HAD DEPARTED THE AIRCRAFT. THE UPPER AND LOWER TORQUE LINKS WERE ATTACHED TO THE AIRCRAFT. NO EVIDENCE OF A BOLT IN THE LOWER TORQUE LINK WAS DISCOVERED. AN IMPROPERLY OR ABSENCE OF A COTTER KEY CAN CAUSE THE BOLT TO EXIT THE AIRCRAFT OVER TIME. THIS CAN ALLOW THE LOWER LANDING GEAR LEG/PISTON TO EXIT THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED ON THE UPPER LEFT GEAR STRUT AND SLID TO A STOP WITHOUT ANY OTHER DAMAGE.

## Other reports on N1963J (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20140709011499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140709011499A), Jul 9, 2014: Piper PA-32-301T (N1963J), San Antonio, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft taxied on taxiway ni and came to a stop at the approach turn to runway 22. Smoke in cabin, evacuated aircraft. Right main wheel and tire on fire, fire…
- [Incident 20020829030049I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020829030049I), Aug 29, 2002: Piper PA32301T (N1963J), Dallas, TX, Minor damage. (-23) On August 29, 2002 @ 1736 CDT, a Piper PA-32-301T, N1963J, during landing, departed to the left off runway 15, hitting a taxiway light and "ha" reference…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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