Service difficulty report · Bolt · Piper PA28161

Difficulty date
August 12, 2015
Submitted
August 19, 2015
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N2496X
Make and model
Piper PA28161
Aircraft serial
288516071
Part
Bolt
Condition
Sheared
Location
Nlg Strut
Stage of operation
LD
How discovered
9
Nature of condition
B
Precautionary procedure
O

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

What was found

BOLT SHEARED OFF ALLOWING INNER STRUT TUBE TO PASS THRU BLOCK ON TOP OF FORK, COME OUT THE BOTTOM OF THE FORK AND PASS THRU THE TIRE AND TUBE, STOPPING AT THE WHEEL. TOWER ADVISED PILOT HE HAD SMOKE SHOWING OFF THE TIRE. AFTER LANDING, THE PRESSURE OF THE STRUT PUSHED THE INNER TUBE, 65230-000, DOWNWARD, CUTTING THE TIRE AND TUBE IN HALF. UNKNOWN IF FROM A HARD LANDING ON THE NOSE STRUT, OR BOLT FAILED DUE TO FAILURE. NO FLUID WAS LOST BUT THE PRESSURE ALLOWED THE STRUT TO CONTINUE TO BE PUSHED DOWNWARD. NO INJURY TO PILOT OR FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR. ACFT TOWED OFF RUNWAY.

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