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April 26, 1998 · Piper PA-23-250 · N154CH

Fruitland Park, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 26, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Fruitland Park, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-250
Tail Number
N154CH
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA98LA145

After a report of a normal touchdown on the grass runway, the right main landing gear fork and rod assembly failed. The right wing dropped, contacted the runway, and the airplane veered to the right and collided with obstructions. Metallurgical examination of the failed fork and rod assembly, and AN bolt, revealed that the fork failed due to overstress and the bolt failed in shear. No preexisting cracks were noted in the failed fork or bolt.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to attain the proper rate of descent at touchdown.

Full Narrative

On April 26, 1998, about 1340 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-23-250, N154CH, registered to Caesair, Inc., experienced failure of the right main landing gear on landing at the Flying Palomino Ranch Airstrip, near Fruitland Park, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight originated about 1315, from the Orlando International Airport, Orlando, Florida. The pilot stated that after a normal touchdown, the right wing dropped and the airplane veered to the right. He applied full left rudder input, but the airplane veered to the right and collided with metal objects on the ground, adjacent to the runway, then collided with a fence and fence poles. Examination of the right main landing gear revealed that the right main landing gear fork and rod assembly was failed. Additionally, an AN bolt, which when installed is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the airplane and is located near the fracture surface of the fork, was also failed. The failed fork and rod assembly and AN bolt, along with a plug, were sent to the NTSB Metallurgy Laboratory in Washington, DC, for examination. Metallurgical examination of the failed fork and rod assembly revealed no evidence of preexisting cracks. The fracture features were typical of an overstress. Examination of the failed AN bolt revealed it was bent and the fracture surface was flat on a transverse plane 90 degrees to the longitudinal direction of the bolt. No evidence of preexisting cracks were noted. The airplane, minus the retained failed right main landing gear fork and rod assembly, failed AN bolt, and plug, was released to the owner on May 8, 1998. The retained components were released to Mr. Steve Pulak, of Sample International, Inc., on June 24, 1998.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:40 EDT
Nearest AirportFlying Palomino Ranch (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length2500 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-23-250
Tail NumberN154CH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-C1A · Reciprocating · 250
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data