# NTSB ANC91IA052: Piper PA-32-301, N4258N, Eek, AK, April 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1991, 17:31 local (Apr 9, 1991, 01:31 UTC)
- Place: Eek, AK
- Coordinates: 60.810821, -161.850418 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8108&lon=-161.8504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5498
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91IA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5498/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91IA052

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE CENTER TORQUE LINK BOLT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear strut scissors - missing (cause)
- Miscellaneous/other, landing - roll
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING LIFTOFF AT QUINHAGAK, ALASKA, THE PILOT FELT A BUMP.  HE CIRCLED THE RUNWAY BUT DID NOT SEE ANYTHING.  UPON LANDING AT EEK, ALASKA, THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT THE RUNWAY.  THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR LOWER STRUT ASSEMBLY WAS MISSING.  THE ASSEMBLY WAS LOCATED AT QUINHAGAK.  EXAMINATION OF THE PARTS SHOWED THAT THE CENTER TORQUE LINK BOLT HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4258N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4258N-2013-06-11), registration cancelled 2013-06-11, S/N 32-8006018, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (registry code 7103207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 3436
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Kusko Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Kusko Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 7, 1991, 36 hours before
- Departed: AGH, QUINHAGAK, AK
- Destination: EEK, EE, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: EEK, Eek, runway 35, 1,300 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,300 total, 444 in this make and model, 2,145 as pilot in command, 182 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19910408039199I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910408039199I), Apr 8, 1991: Piper PA32301, Eek, AK, Minor damage. Aircraft was landed with part of right gear missing. Bolt holding torque link knuckle was missing.

## Other investigations on N4258N (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC81FA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81FA105), Sep 2, 1981: Piper PA-32 (N4258N), Lk Clark Pass, AK, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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