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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

November 12, 1990 · Piper PA-44-180 · N39776

Prescott, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 12, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Prescott, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA-44-180
Tail Number
N39776
Operator
Embry Riddle University
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX91LA028

THE AIRCRAFT WAS PERFORMING A NORMAL LANDING WHEN THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR STRUT FAILED ON TOUCH DOWN. THE STUDENT AND THE INSTRUCTOR WERE ABLE TO AFFECT A REJECTED LANDING. THE INSTRUCTOR FLEW THE AIRCRAFT AROUND THE LOCAL AREA FOR THREE HOURS AND FORTY FIVE MINUTES TO BURN THE FUEL LOAD DOWN. THE AIRCRAFT WAS THEN LANDED GEAR UP AT PRESCOTT. DURING THE REJECTED LANDING, THE WITNESSES OBSERVED THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR HANGING FROM THE AIRCRAFT BY THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE. DURING THE TIME THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLOWN AROUND THE LOCAL AREA, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR FELL FREE FROM THE AIRCRAFT. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUT FAILED AT THE TRUNION ATTACH FITTING. THE LANDING GEAR ASSEMBLY AND THE ASSOCIATED ATTACH FITTINGS WERE NOT LOCATED FOR A DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THE FAILURE MODE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR TRUNION ATTACH FITTING FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

Full Narrative

THE AIRCRAFT WAS PERFORMING A NORMAL LANDING WHEN THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR STRUT FAILED ON TOUCH DOWN. THE STUDENT AND THE INSTRUCTOR WERE ABLE TO AFFECT A REJECTED LANDING. THE INSTRUCTOR FLEW THE AIRCRAFT AROUND THE LOCAL AREA FOR THREE HOURS AND FORTY FIVE MINUTES TO BURN THE FUEL LOAD DOWN. THE AIRCRAFT WAS THEN LANDED GEAR UP AT PRESCOTT. DURING THE REJECTED LANDING, THE WITNESSES OBSERVED THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR HANGING FROM THE AIRCRAFT BY THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE. DURING THE TIME THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLOWN AROUND THE LOCAL AREA, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR FELL FREE FROM THE AIRCRAFT. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUT FAILED AT THE TRUNION ATTACH FITTING. THE LANDING GEAR ASSEMBLY AND THE ASSOCIATED ATTACH FITTINGS WERE NOT LOCATED FOR A DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THE FAILURE MODE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:03 MST
Nearest AirportPRESCOTT (0nm N)
Runway21
Runway Length7000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-44-180
Tail NumberN39776
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEmbry Riddle University
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1A6D · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 23 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 4 kt
Visibility65 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time18:04

Appendix: Source Data