# NTSB SEA05LA106: Piper PA-28-140, N7263J, Puyallup, WA, May 14, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 14, 2005, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Puyallup, WA - Coordinates: 47.103889, -122.287223 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1039&lon=-122.2872&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 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 61573 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05LA106 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61573/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA106 ## Probable cause The fatigue cracking of the upper torque link attach lugs on the right main landing gear strut, which resulted in separation of the right main landing gear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,main gear strut - fatigue (cause) - landing gear,main gear strut - cracked (cause) - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not performed - landing gear,main gear - separation (cause) - Main gear collapsed, emergency landing ## Analysis According to the pilot, the landing approach "looked good." During the flare, the airplane "hit wind shear" and landed "a little hard." The pilot added power and executed a go around. He heard a banging noise coming from beneath the airplane and declared an emergency. He elected to return to the airport and landed off the runway in a grassy area. During the emergency landing, the airplane settled onto the right wing. The pilot reported that he determined the right main landing gear had separated during the hard landing and remained attached to the airplane only by the brake line. Closer inspection revealed that the two upper torque link attach lugs on the right main landing gear strut cylinder (P/N 65319-04) had separated. Both separation surfaces displayed beach marks, ratchet marks, and areas of discoloration indicative of preexisting cracks. Research revealed that on August 18, 2003, the airplane manufacturer (Piper) had issued Service Bulletin 1131, which called for an inspection of the main landing gear cylinder upper torque link attach lugs for cracks in the area where the subject cylinder failed. This Service Bulletin had not been performed on the accident airplane. ## Factual narrative On May 14, 2005, about 1200 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N7263J, sustained substantial damage when the right main landing gear separated during landing at Pierce County Airport, Puyallup, Washington. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was being operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The flight departed from Auburn Municipal Airport, Auburn, Washington, and the intended destination was Pierce County Airport. According to the pilot, the landing approach "looked good." During the flare, the airplane "hit wind shear" and landed "a little hard." The pilot added power and executed a go around. He heard a banging noise coming from beneath the airplane and declared an emergency. He elected to return to the airport and landed off the runway in a grassy area. During the emergency landing, the airplane settled onto the right wing. The pilot reported that he determined the right main landing gear had separated during the hard landing and remained attached to the airplane only by the brake line. Closer inspection revealed that the two upper torque link attach lugs on the right main landing gear strut cylinder (P/N 65319-04) had separated. Both separation surfaces displayed beach marks, ratchet marks, and areas of discoloration indicative of preexisting cracks. Research revealed that on August 18, 2003, the airplane manufacturer (Piper) had issued Service Bulletin 1131, which called for an inspection of the main landing gear cylinder upper torque link attach lugs for cracks in the area where the subject cylinder failed. This Service Bulletin had not been performed on the accident airplane. An FAA inspector examined the airplane and reported that the damage included 5 puncture holes in the lower right wing skin, a collapsed wing rib, and a damaged area of rear spar cap. Additionally, there were dents in the leading edge of the right stabilator and the trailing edge of the right flap was bent. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7263J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7263J), registered now, S/N 28-24548, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-24548 - Airframe hours: 4780 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-O2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Christopher C. Anable - Registered owner: Carol M. Anable - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2005, 10 hours before - Departed: S50, Auburn, WA - Destination: 1S0, Puyallup, WA - Airport: 1S0, Pierce County, runway 16, 3,650 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 500 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F ## 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 20050514009189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050514009189A), May 14, 2005: Piper PA28140, Puyallup, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 14, 2005, about 1100AM, a Piper PA-28-140, N7263J, sustained substantial damage following a hard landing at Pierce county airport, Puyallup,… ## Other investigations on N7263J (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 OAK74FXQ04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74FXQ04), Aug 4, 1973: Piper PA-28 (N7263J), Carson City, NV, substantial damage 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.