# NTSB ATL01LA058: Piper PA-44-180, N3042C, Brooksville, FL, May 20, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 20, 2001, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Brooksville, FL - Coordinates: 28.479328, -82.420608 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4793&lon=-82.4206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Tampa FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52440 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL01LA058 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52440/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01LA058 ## Probable cause The fatigue failure of the left main landing gear strut that resulted in collapse of the landing gear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,main gear strut - collapsed (cause) - landing gear,main gear strut - fatigue (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis During the takeoff roll the pilot noticed the aircraft pulling to the left. He aborted takeoff, reduced power and as the pilot applied brakes the left main landing gear collapsed. Examination of the gear strut cylinder revealed fatigue cracks originating from multiple locations on opposite sides of the bolt hole located on the forward side of the cylinder. Microscopic examination of the bolt hole revealed that the surface of the bolt hole was roughly machined. The total fatigue region occupied about 35 percent of the cross section of the cylinder. ## Factual narrative On May 20, 2001, at 1045 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-44-180, N3042C, experienced a collapse of the left main landing gear during takeoff roll in Brooksville, Florida. The personal flight was conducted under provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage; the commercial pilot and three passengers were not injured. The flight was departing from Hernando County Airport, Brooksville, Florida, at 1045. According to the pilot, while on takeoff roll from runway 27, the airplane pulled noticeably to the left. The pilot elected to abort the takeoff and reduced power and applied the brakes. The left main landing gear collapsed. Examination of the landing gear revealed the left main landing gear strut assembly cylinder was broken. The break occurred at the point where the gear strut cylinder is bolted into the fork assembly. Laboratory examination of the gear strut cylinder revealed fatigue cracks originating from multiple locations on opposite sides of the bolt hole located on the forward side of the cylinder. Microscopic examination of the bolt hole revealed that the surface of the bolt hole was roughly machined. Further examination of the fracture surface showed multiple ratch and crack arrest marks. The total fatigue region occupied about 35 percent of the cross section of the cylinder. According to the operator, there is no previous history of maintenance problems on the left landing gear strut. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3042C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3042C-2008-03-20), registration cancelled 2008-03-20, S/N 44-7995124, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-44-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180) (registry code 7104402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 44-7995-124 - Airframe hours: 12000 - Engines: Lycoming L-0-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Clearwater Aviation - Registered owner: Four fox air inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 28, 2001, 52 hours before - Departed: BKV, BROOKSVILLE, FL - Destination: PIE, St. Petersburg, FL - Airport: BKV, Hernando County, runway 27, 7,001 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,096 total, 7 in this make and model, 830 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: BKV 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.