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June 11, 1984 · Lockheed L-1011-385-3 L-1011-385 · N501PA

Los Angeles, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 11, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (157 uninjured)
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Aircraft
Lockheed L-1011-385-3 L-1011-385
Tail Number
N501PA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX84LA349

SHORTLY AFTER THE AIRCREW MOVED THE GEAR HANDLE FROM 'UP' TO 'OFF', DURING INITIAL CLIMB, THEY HEARD A LOUD BANG IN THE NOSEWHEEL AREA. THEY RETURNED TO THE ARPT & LANDED AFTER DUMPING FUEL. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT BOTH LOWER ATTACH LUGS ON THE NOSE GEAR CRANK ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED & ALLOWED THE RETRACT ACTUATOR ARM TO PENETRATE THE WHEEL WELL BULKHEAD & CARGO COMPARTMENT FLOOR. A METALLURGICAL EXAM REVEALED THAT THE LEFT LUG HAD FAILED IN OVERLOAD AFTER FAILURE OF THE RIGHT LUG. THE FRACTURE SURFACE OF THE RIGHT LUG WAS TOO BADLY DAMAGED FOR AN EVALUATION; HOWEVER, SOME INTERGRANULAR CORROSION WAS NOTED IN THE REMAINING FRACTURE FACE.

Full Narrative

SHORTLY AFTER THE AIRCREW MOVED THE GEAR HANDLE FROM 'UP' TO 'OFF', DURING INITIAL CLIMB, THEY HEARD A LOUD BANG IN THE NOSEWHEEL AREA. THEY RETURNED TO THE ARPT & LANDED AFTER DUMPING FUEL. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT BOTH LOWER ATTACH LUGS ON THE NOSE GEAR CRANK ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED & ALLOWED THE RETRACT ACTUATOR ARM TO PENETRATE THE WHEEL WELL BULKHEAD & CARGO COMPARTMENT FLOOR. A METALLURGICAL EXAM REVEALED THAT THE LEFT LUG HAD FAILED IN OVERLOAD AFTER FAILURE OF THE RIGHT LUG. THE FRACTURE SURFACE OF THE RIGHT LUG WAS TOO BADLY DAMAGED FOR AN EVALUATION; HOWEVER, SOME INTERGRANULAR CORROSION WAS NOTED IN THE REMAINING FRACTURE FACE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:03 PDT
Nearest AirportLos Angeles Int'L (1nm WSW)
Runway25
Runway Length12091 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLockheed L-1011-385-3 L-1011-385
Tail NumberN501PA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · RB 211 · Turbofan · 50000
Seats249

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (157 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured157
Total157
Crew 1Age 50 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data