# NTSB MIA92LA172: Piper PA-34-200, N975DA, Homestead, FL, September 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1992, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Homestead, FL
- Coordinates: 25.860033, -80.270027 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.8600&lon=-80.2700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33128
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33128/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA172

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO COMPLY WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN, WHICH ALLOWED A CRACKED LANDING GEAR HOUSING TO GO UNDETECTED, RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE LANDING GEAR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - cracked (cause)
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not performed, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear - failure,total (cause)

## Analysis

FLIGHT EXPERIENCED COLLAPSE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR DURING LANDING ROLLOUT. THE PILOT/MECHANIC REPORTED THE STRUT HOUSING HAD CRACKED AND FAILED JUST BELOW THE POINT THE TRUNION WEB ENDS. PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION SERVICE BULLETIN 787A, DATED AUGUST 15, 1985, REQUIRES INSPECTION OF THE LANDING GEAR HOUSING JUST BELOW THE TRUNION WEB FOR CRACKS EACH 100 HOURS. IF A NEW LANDING GEAR STRUT HOUSING IS INSTALLED IN WHICH THE TRUNION WEB EXTENDS THE LENGTH OF THE HOUSING THE INSPECTION IS NOT REQUIRED. NO RECORD OF COMPLIANCE WITH SERVICE BULLETIN 787A WAS FOUND IN THE LOGBOOKS FOR N975DA. ON JUNE 22, 1990, THE NTSB ISSUED SAFETY RECOMMENDATION A-90-92 TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, RECOMMENDING THAT PIPER SERVICE BULLETIN 787A BE MADE MANDATORY BY ISSUANCE OF AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N975DA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N975DA-2017-09-26), registration cancelled 2017-09-26, S/N 34-7250216, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7250216
- Airframe hours: 4900
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Oklesen
- Registered owner: Aviation Enterprises, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 9, 1992, 80 hours before
- Departed: PGD, PUNTA GORDA, FL
- Airport: X51, Homestead General Aviatio, runway 18, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; 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: 3,500 total, 100 in this make and model, 3,350 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIA, 20 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).

- [Accident 19920902056369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920902056369A), Sep 2, 1992: Piper PA34200, Homestead, FL, Substantial damage. Left main gear collapsed aft on the landing roll. Fatigue cracked below trunion web. AD9092 not complied.

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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