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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

May 6, 1989 · Piper PA-34-200T · N859SC

Miami, FL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
May 6, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Miami, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-200T
Tail Number
N859SC
Operator
Gulf Flight Center
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
MIA89IA145

THE PLT RPRTD THAT AFTER THE ACFT HAD TOUCHED DOWN & ROLLED APRX 400 TO 600 FT, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED & THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR TRUNNION HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THRU THE BARREL NEXT TO THE LOWER END OF THE FILLET. A METALLURGICAL EXAM SHOWED THE FATIGUE HAD ORIGINATED AT THE BASE OF A GRINDING MARK. SEVERAL SECONDARY CRACKS WERE ALSO FOUND WHICH ORIGINATED FROM GRINDING MARKS NEXT TO THE FATIGUE FRACTURE. THE AIRPLANE LOGBOOK SHOWED THE TRUNNION HAD BEEN INSPECTED AT THE LAST 100 HR INSPECTION IAW PIPER SERVICE BULLETIN (S/B) #787A. THE ACFT HAD FLOWN ABOUT 80 HRS SINCE THAT INSPECTION. THE S/B REQUIRMENT WAS TO 'PROPERLY CLEAN THE TRUNNION HOUSING OF DIRT AND PAINT AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE HOUSING FOR CRACKS WITH A 10 POWER GLASS AT THE LOWER END OF THE FILLET.'

NTSB Probable Cause

FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR TRUNNION. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS: INADEQUATE INSPECTION PROCEDURE IN PIPER SERVICE BULLETIN #787A.

Full Narrative

THE PLT RPRTD THAT AFTER THE ACFT HAD TOUCHED DOWN & ROLLED APRX 400 TO 600 FT, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED & THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR TRUNNION HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THRU THE BARREL NEXT TO THE LOWER END OF THE FILLET. A METALLURGICAL EXAM SHOWED THE FATIGUE HAD ORIGINATED AT THE BASE OF A GRINDING MARK. SEVERAL SECONDARY CRACKS WERE ALSO FOUND WHICH ORIGINATED FROM GRINDING MARKS NEXT TO THE FATIGUE FRACTURE. THE AIRPLANE LOGBOOK SHOWED THE TRUNNION HAD BEEN INSPECTED AT THE LAST 100 HR INSPECTION IAW PIPER SERVICE BULLETIN (S/B) #787A. THE ACFT HAD FLOWN ABOUT 80 HRS SINCE THAT INSPECTION. THE S/B REQUIRMENT WAS TO 'PROPERLY CLEAN THE TRUNNION HOUSING OF DIRT AND PAINT AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE HOUSING FOR CRACKS WITH A 10 POWER GLASS AT THE LOWER END OF THE FILLET.'

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time23:07 EDT
Nearest AirportMiami Intl (0nm N)
Runway9L
Runway Length10500 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-34-200T
Tail NumberN859SC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorGulf Flight Center
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · L/TSIO-360 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 56 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind160° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time02:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data