# NTSB MIA93IA120: Piper PA-44-180, N21427, Daytona Beach, FL, May 5, 1993

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1993, 14:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Daytona Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 29.169775, -81.139518 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1698&lon=-81.1395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33184
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93IA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33184/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93IA120

## Probable cause

FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE DRAG LINK ASSEMBLY BOLT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - fatigue (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER TOUCHDOWN DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE NOSE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. EXAMINATION OF THE NOSE LANDING GEAR ASSEMBLY REVEALED THAT THE DRAG LINK ASSEMBLY BOLT FAILED. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE BOLT REVEALED THAT IT FAILED DUE TO FATIGUE. REVIEW OF THE AIRFRAME LOGBOOK REVEALED THAT THE BOLT AND ASSOCIATED BUSHINGS HAD BEEN REPLAED ON MARCH 17, 1993. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, THE AIRPLANE HAD ACCUMULATED ABOUT 36 HOURS SINCE THE BOLT REPLACEMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21427](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21427-2005-04-14), registration cancelled 2005-04-14, S/N 44-7995050, 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: 44-7995050
- Airframe hours: 3451
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-E1A6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Spruce Creek Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Spruce Creek Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 18, 1993, 36 hours before
- Departed: 44J
- Airport: 44J, Spruce Creek, runway 23, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 256 total, 15 in this make and model, 44 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 5 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 19930505018329I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930505018329I), May 5, 1993: Piper PA44180, Daytona Beach, FL, Minor damage. Nose gear collapsed on landing rollout. Found nose gear drag link brace bolt broken.

## Other investigations on N21427 (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 MIA05CA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA05CA072), Mar 6, 2005: Piper PA-44-180 (N21427), Opa Locka, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The dual student's improper descent rate during a simulated engine failure and simulated forced landing and the CFI's inadequate remedial action which resulted in a hard landing.

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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