# NTSB DEN92IA072: Piper PA-34-200T, N3030K, Lamar, CO, July 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1992, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Lamar, CO
- Coordinates: 38.07999, -102.60958 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0800&lon=-102.6096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18172
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92IA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18172/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92IA072

## Probable cause

FRACTURED NOSE LANDING GEAR BOLT 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, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - landing gear,nose gear attach point - fractured (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear attach point - fatigue (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT NOTED AN UNSAFE INDICATION AFTER LOWERING THE LANDING GEAR AND OBSERVED THROUGH A MIRROR THE NOSEWHEEL WAS NOT LOCKED.  HE ELECTED TO LAND WHEELS UP.  POST INCIDENT INSPECTION DISCLOSED THE BOLT THAT ATTACHES THE UPPER DRAG LINK TO THE NOSE GEAR TRUNNION HAD SHEARED.  LABORATORY EXAMINATION DISCLOSED TORSIONAL BENDING FATIGUE TYPICAL OF HIGH CYCLE LOW LOAD FATIGUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3030K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3030K-2013-08-01), registration cancelled 2013-08-01, S/N 34-7970103, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7970103
- Airframe hours: 2633
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-EB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Lyddon Flying Service, doing business as Baan Aire
- Registered owner: Baan Hoffman, Wayne & Cheryl
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 18, 1992, 33 hours before
- Departed: LAA
- Destination: COS, COLORADO SPRING, CO
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: LAA, Lamar Municipal, runway 36, 6,304 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,400 total, 940 in this make and model, 10,340 as pilot in command, 245 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LHX, 45 nm away

## 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 19920708029309I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920708029309I), Jul 8, 1992: Piper PA34200T, Lamar, CO, Minor damage. Unable to lock nose gear down. Nose gear collapsed on rollout. Bolt connecting upper drag link to trunion broke.

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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