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NTSB Report
December 19, 1987 · Piper PA-38-112 · N23497
Las Cruces, NM
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 19, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Las Cruces, NM
Aircraft
Piper PA-38-112
Tail Number
N23497
Operator
Waide P Noel
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN88LA039
WHILE PRACTICING CROSSWIND LANDINGS THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE STUDENT TOUCHED DOWN NORMALLY WITH APRX 5 KNOT CROSSWIND. UPON TOUCH DOWN, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO FIRE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR INBD RETENTION BOLT HAD FAILED CAUSING THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR ASSEMBLY TO SEPARATE FROM THE ACFT. METALLURGIST EXAMINATION OF THE BROKEN BOLT REVEALED EVIDENCE OF A PROGRESSIVE FAILURE. THE BOLT WAS PIPER PART NUMBER 402 742.
Full Narrative
WHILE PRACTICING CROSSWIND LANDINGS THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE STUDENT TOUCHED DOWN NORMALLY WITH APRX 5 KNOT CROSSWIND. UPON TOUCH DOWN, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO FIRE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR INBD RETENTION BOLT HAD FAILED CAUSING THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR ASSEMBLY TO SEPARATE FROM THE ACFT. METALLURGIST EXAMINATION OF THE BROKEN BOLT REVEALED EVIDENCE OF A PROGRESSIVE FAILURE. THE BOLT WAS PIPER PART NUMBER 402 742.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:10 MST
Nearest AirportCRAWFORD (0nm N)
Runway30
Runway Length7000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-38-112
Tail NumberN23497
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWaide P Noel
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 112
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 13 kt, gusting 23 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:51
Weather SourceWFAC