Service difficulty report · Bolt · Piper PA34200T

Difficulty date
August 26, 2009
Submitted
October 27, 2009
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N449S
Make and model
Piper PA34200T
Aircraft serial
348070233
Part
Bolt
Part number
400890
Condition
Bent
Location
Nlg Dwnlock Link
Part time
5 hours
Component
Link Assy
Component part number
95829000
Stage of operation
NR
How discovered
9
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
O

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

THE UPPER ATTACHMENT BOLT FOR THE NOSE GEAR DOWNLOCK LINK ASSY WAS BENT. WHILE THE ACFT WAS TAXIING BACK TO ITS PARKING SPOT THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH PROPELLERS, ENGINES, NOSE CONE AND NOSE GEAR DOORS. THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT WAS DUE TO OVER STRESS OF THE COMPONENTS DURING A LANDING WHICH CAUSED THE DRAG LINK ASSEMBLY TO COME OUT OF RIG AND THEREFORE CAUSE THE NOSE GEAR TO COLLAPSE. RECOMMENDATION TO PREVENT RECURRENCE WOULD BE FOR THE MFG TO REDESIGN THE METHOD OF SECURING THE DRAG LINKS ASSY TO MAINTAIN POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT OF THE NOSE GEAR ASSEMBLY FOR DOWN AND LOCK POSITION AND TO PROVIDE A BETTER DESCRIPTION IN THE MM TO ENSURE THAT ONCE RIGGED IT WOULD MAINTAIN OVER CENTER POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT EVEN IF THIS BOLT BECAME DAMAGED DURING A LANDING CYCLE. (K)

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