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NTSB Report
July 1, 1984 · Piper PA-34-200 · N4886T
Hickory, NC
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 1, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Hickory, NC
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-200
Tail Number
N4886T
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL84LA215
ACFT LANDED WITH THE NOSE GEAR RETRACTED. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE NOSE GEAR WAS HUNG UP IN THE WHEEL WELL BECAUSE AN AN4-12 BOLT, WHICH SECURED THE NOSE GEAR CENTERING SPRING ASS'Y, WAS HUNG UP IN THE GEAR DOOR LINKAGE. AN ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED 20 HRS PREVIOUS TO THE ACCIDENT AT WHICH TIME THE BOLT & BUSHINGS ON THE SHIMMY DAMPENER WERE REPLACED. THE PA-34 MAINT MANUAL INDICATES THAT THE CORRECT BOLT, A AN24-20A, SHOULD BE INSTALLED WITH THE BOLT HEAD DOWN & WITH A MS20364-428C LOCK NUT. THE BOLT THAT HUNG UP WAS INSTALLED WITH THE BOLT HEAD UP & WAS SECURED BY A CASTLENUT & COTTER KEY. PIPER SERVICE LETTER 852, DATED 9/14/78, ADDRESSED THE POTENTIAL IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE BOLT & ANNOUNCED THE AVAILABILITY OF A PLACARD TO REMIND MECHANICS OF THE REQUIRED METHOD OF INSTALLATION. THE SERVICE LETTER NOTES THAT WHEN THE BOLT IS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, NOSE GEAR OPERATION CAN BE RESTRICTED IN THE GEAR UP POSITION. THE NON-MANDATORY SERVICE LETTER HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH IN N4886T.
Full Narrative
ACFT LANDED WITH THE NOSE GEAR RETRACTED. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE NOSE GEAR WAS HUNG UP IN THE WHEEL WELL BECAUSE AN AN4-12 BOLT, WHICH SECURED THE NOSE GEAR CENTERING SPRING ASS'Y, WAS HUNG UP IN THE GEAR DOOR LINKAGE. AN ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED 20 HRS PREVIOUS TO THE ACCIDENT AT WHICH TIME THE BOLT & BUSHINGS ON THE SHIMMY DAMPENER WERE REPLACED. THE PA-34 MAINT MANUAL INDICATES THAT THE CORRECT BOLT, A AN24-20A, SHOULD BE INSTALLED WITH THE BOLT HEAD DOWN & WITH A MS20364-428C LOCK NUT. THE BOLT THAT HUNG UP WAS INSTALLED WITH THE BOLT HEAD UP & WAS SECURED BY A CASTLENUT & COTTER KEY. PIPER SERVICE LETTER 852, DATED 9/14/78, ADDRESSED THE POTENTIAL IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE BOLT & ANNOUNCED THE AVAILABILITY OF A PLACARD TO REMIND MECHANICS OF THE REQUIRED METHOD OF INSTALLATION. THE SERVICE LETTER NOTES THAT WHEN THE BOLT IS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, NOSE GEAR OPERATION CAN BE RESTRICTED IN THE GEAR UP POSITION. THE NON-MANDATORY SERVICE LETTER HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH IN N4886T.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:43 EDT
Nearest AirportHICKORY (0nm N)
Runway19
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-34-200
Tail NumberN4886T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1E6 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:55
Weather SourceWFAC