# NTSB DEN01LA132: Piper PA-31-350, N114SA, Grand Junction, CO, July 29, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 29, 2001, 09:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Grand Junction, CO - Coordinates: 39.344722, -108.603889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3447&lon=-108.6039&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 16, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (FSDO) - NTSB case key (mKey): 52867 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN01LA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52867/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA132 ## Probable cause the failure of the nose landing gear right drag brace (link assembly) due to fatigue. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - landing gear,nose gear assembly - fatigue (cause) - landing gear,nose gear assembly - failure (cause) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - gear down and locked - not possible ## Analysis While on final approach the pilot moved the landing gear lever to the extended position, heard the normal sounds of the gear extending and noted that the three green landing gear position lights were illuminated. However, when he looked at the nose landing gear through the mirror on the left engine cowling, he noted that the nose gear was hanging at a 45-degree angle. The pilot attempted to cycle the gear, and the nose landing gear did not move. The pilot executed a go-around. The pilot attempted to use the emergency gear extension procedure, contacted various maintenance facilities via aircraft radio, and then performed a low fly-by of the air traffic control tower (ATCT). The ATCT controllers were able to see that the main landing gear appeared to be down and locked; however, the nose landing gear was hanging at a 45-degree angle. During the ensuing landing, the nose gear collapsed, and the pilot brought the airplane to a stop on the runway. Examination revealed that the airplane's nose landing gear right drag brace (link assembly) was separated. The NTSB examined the fracture surfaces and observed a banding pattern on both fracture surfaces, consistent with fatigue. Ratchet marks indicated that the fatigue initiated from machining marks located in the blend radius between the narrow edge of one of the idler link lugs and the adjacent surface of the link. ## Factual narrative On July 29, 2001, at 0915 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-31-350 airplane, N114SA, was substantially damaged during an emergency landing at the Walker Field Airport, Grand Junction, Colorado. The airplane was registered to and operated by American Aviation, Inc., of Salt Lake City, Utah. The airline transport pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 scheduled cargo flight. The flight originated from the Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City, Utah, at 0800, and was destined for Grand Junction. The pilot reported that while on final approach to runway 04, at Grand Junction, he moved the landing gear lever to extend the landing gear, heard the normal sounds of the gear falling into place, and noted that the three green landing gear position lights were illuminated. However, when he looked at the nose landing gear through the mirror on the left engine cowling, he noted that the nose gear was hanging at a 45-degree angle. The pilot attempted to cycle the gear, and the nose landing gear did not move. The pilot executed a go-around. The pilot attempted to use the emergency gear extension procedure, contacted various maintenance facilities via aircraft radio, and then performed a low fly-by of the air traffic control tower (ATCT). The ATCT controllers were able to see that the main landing gear appeared to be down and locked; however, the nose landing gear was hanging at a 45-degree angle. During the ensuing landing on runway 04, the nose gear collapsed, a bulkhead in the nose area was buckled, and the airplane came to a stop on the runway. An FAA inspector, who examined the airplane, found that the nose landing gear right drag brace (link assembly) was separated. The link assembly was removed from the airplane and sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington, D.C. for further examination. The NTSB's examination of the fracture surface revealed a banding pattern on both fracture surfaces, consistent with fatigue. The fracture surfaces were cleaned, which revealed machining marks in the blend radius between the narrow edge of one the idler link lugs and the adjacent surface. The fatigue region contained multiple ratchet marks, indicating that there were multiple fatigue initiation sites. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N114SA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N114SA), registered now, S/N 31-8052053, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-31-350 - Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31-8052053 - Airframe hours: 13729.3 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: American Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 9, 2001, 22 hours before - Departed: SLC, Salt Lake City, UT - Destination: GJT, GRAND JUNCTION, CO - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: GJT, Walker Field, runway 04, 5,502 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 11, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 4,650 total, 165 in this make and model, 4,080 as pilot in command, 260 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: GJT ## 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 20010729019249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010729019249A), Jul 29, 2001: Piper PA31350, Grand Junction, CO, No damage. (.19) On July 29, 2001, at 0932 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-31-350, N114SA, operated by American aviation, inc., as an on demand title 14 CFR part 135… ## Other investigations on N114SA (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 DEN00LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA179), Sep 27, 2000: Piper PA-31-350 (N114SA), Blanding, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to follow the checklist and lower the landing gear for landing. A factor was diverted attention. 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.