# NTSB ATL84LA215: Piper PA-34-200, N4886T, Hickory, NC, July 1, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1984, 14:43 local (18:43 UTC)
- Place: Hickory, NC
- Location: 35.7411° N, 81.3896° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HICKORY RGNL (HKY), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7411&lon=-81.3896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6491
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6491/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA215

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach
  - landing gear,nose gear - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not followed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - jammed (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACFT LANDED WITH THE NOSE GEAR RETRACTED. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE NOSE GEAR WAS HUNG UP IN THE WHEEL WELL BECAUSE AN AN4-12 BOLT, WHICH SECURED THE NOSE GEAR CENTERING SPRING ASS'Y, WAS HUNG UP IN THE GEAR DOOR LINKAGE. AN ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED 20 HRS PREVIOUS TO THE ACCIDENT AT WHICH TIME THE BOLT & BUSHINGS ON THE SHIMMY DAMPENER WERE REPLACED. THE PA-34 MAINT MANUAL INDICATES THAT THE CORRECT BOLT, A AN24-20A, SHOULD BE INSTALLED WITH THE BOLT HEAD DOWN & WITH A MS20364-428C LOCK NUT. THE BOLT THAT HUNG UP WAS INSTALLED WITH THE BOLT HEAD UP & WAS SECURED BY A CASTLENUT & COTTER KEY. PIPER SERVICE LETTER 852, DATED 9/14/78, ADDRESSED THE POTENTIAL IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE BOLT & ANNOUNCED THE AVAILABILITY OF A PLACARD TO REMIND MECHANICS OF THE REQUIRED METHOD OF INSTALLATION. THE SERVICE LETTER NOTES THAT WHEN THE BOLT IS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, NOSE GEAR OPERATION CAN BE RESTRICTED IN THE GEAR UP POSITION. THE NON-MANDATORY SERVICE LETTER HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH IN N4886T.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4886T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7250164
- Airframe hours: 3951
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Calypso Equipment, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1984, 20 hours before
- Departed: AVL, ASHEVILLE, NC
- Destination: 5A7, BANNER ELK, NC
- Airport: HKY, Hickory, runway 19, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,428 total, 664 in this make and model, 2,350 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HKY

## FAA reports on this event (1)

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

- [Accident 19840701029109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840701029109A), Jul 1, 1984: Piper PA34200, Hickory, NC, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed with nose gear retracted because bolt which secured nose gear centering spring hung up in linkage.

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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