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November 14, 2007 · Piper PA-44-180 · N274ER

Byron, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 14, 2007
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Byron, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-44-180
Tail Number
N274ER
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA08LA029

After touchdown during the landing roll, the flight instructor heard a "clunking" sound, followed by the airplane dropping slightly to the right. The flight instructor subsequently heard a second "clunk" as the airplane's right wing dropped to the runway. A post-accident examination revealed that the right main landing gear aft trunnion attach fitting had failed. A subsequent metallurgical examination revealed that although a fatigue region was identified on one of the 3 fracture surfaces, it was relatively small, and that the attach fitting most likely failed due to overload.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the right main landing gear aft trunnion attach fitting due to overload during the landing roll.

Full Narrative

On November 14, 2007, about 1345 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-44-180, N274ER, sustained substantial damage following a right main landing gear collapse and a loss of control during landing roll at the Byron Airport (C83), Byron, California. The flight instructor, pilot-rated student and sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed the Hayward Executive Airport (HWD), Hayward, California, about 1200. In a statement dated November 27, 2007, the flight instructor reported that this was to be the fourth full stop landing with his student. The flight instructor stated that at the midfield point he verified that the landing gear was down by observing the 3 green landing gear down-and-locked lights illuminated. The flight instructor further stated the after touching down on the centerline and during the rollout, and after about 300 to 400 feet, "...I felt a 'clunking' sound, and the airplane dropped slightly to the right and started to pull to the right. I would estimate we were rolling 50 to 60 knots at this point." The flight instructor further reported that he then brought both throttles to idle and helped on the controls with the student to maintain directional control. The pilot stated, "Soon after there was a second 'clunk' and the right wing dropped to the runway, resulting in an uncontrollable slide off the right side of the runway." Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the right main landing gear trunnion had failed. The component was forwarded to the Safety Board's materials laboratory for further examination. The examination revealed that the right main landing gear aft trunnion attach fitting (p/n 67042-13) was fractured at 3 locations intersecting the center bearing boss area. The outboard, forward and lower fracture surfaces each exhibited a rough and irregular appearance consistent with overstress in a cast aluminum alloy. It was also noted that a portion of the outboard fracture had a relatively flat plane of fracture with a curving boundary, features consistent with fatigue.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:45 PST
Nearest AirportByron Airport (0nm)
Runway30
Runway Length4500 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-44-180
Tail NumberN274ER
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180 | Lycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 32 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 20 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Observation Time21:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data