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September 28, 2011 · Mitsubishi MU-2B-25 · N344KL

Atlanta, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 28, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Atlanta, GA
Aircraft
Mitsubishi MU-2B-25
Tail Number
N344KL
Operator
Laurel Mountain Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA11LA507

The pilot stated that after landing, the nose landing gear collapsed. Examination of the airplane nose strut down-lock installation revealed that the strut on the right side of the nose landing gear trunnion was installed incorrectly; the strut installed on the right was a left-sided strut. Incorrect installation of the strut could result in the bearing pulling loose from the pin on the right side of the trunnion, which could allow the nose landing gear to collapse. A review of maintenance records revealed recent maintenance activity on the nose gear involving the strut. The design of the strut is common for the left and right. Both struts have the same base part number, and a distinguishing numerical suffix is added for left side and right side strut determination. If correctly installed, the numbers should be oriented facing outboard. The original MU-2 Maintenance Manual did not address the installation or correct orientation of the strut. The manufacturer issued MU-2 Service Bulletin (SB) No. 200B, dated June 24, 1994, to address the orientation and adjustment. Service Bulletin 200B states on page 8 of 10 that the “Part Number may be visible in this (the) area from the out board sides (Inked P/N may be faded out).”

NTSB Probable Cause

The improper installation of the nose landing gear strut and subsequent collapse of the nose landing gear during landing.

Full Narrative

On September 28, 2011, at 1715 eastern daylight time, a Mitsubishi MU-2B-25, N344KL, registered to Laurel Mountain Aviation LLC, experienced a nose landing gear collapse during landing roll out at Cobb County Airport-McCollum Field (RYY), Atlanta, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The corporate flight was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The airplane received structural damage to the airplane nose and structure aft of the primary bulkhead. The certificate airline transport rated pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The flight originated from Huntsville International Airport-Carl T. Jones Field (HSV), Huntsville, Alabama, at 1541 central daylight time. The pilot stated that after departing HSV, he climbed to his cruise altitude of 11,000 feet mean sea level. Upon arrival in the vicinity of RYY, he was cleared for a visual approach to runway 27. He entered a right closed traffic pattern and completed all required checklist items. The airplane touched down on the runway and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest upright on the runway. Examination of the airplane nose strut down lock installation revealed the strut, part number (PN) 010A-39117-11, that was installed on the right side of the nose landing gear trunnion, was installed incorrectly. The bearing "stake marks" should have been on the outboard side of the 010A-39117 strut. Incorrect installation of the strut could result in the bearing pulling loose from the pin on the right side of the trunnion. A review of maintenance records revealed recent maintenance activity on the nose gear involving the strut. The design of the strut is typical for the left and right. Both struts have the base PN 010A-39117, permanently marked by cast numbers on the outboard side of the strut. According to the manufacturer, the part should display the PN 010A- 39117-12 for the right and -11 for the left. The manufacturer issued MU-2 Service Bulletin (SB) No. 200B, dated June 24, 1994, to address the orientation and adjustment. The MU-2 Maintenance Manual did not address the installation or correct orientation of the strut. Service Bulletin 200B states on page 8 of 10 that the “Part Number may be visible in this (the) area from the out board sides (Inked P/N may be faded out)”. The accident strut only exhibited the base number. The left strut was installed in accordance with the SB. The last annual and 200-hour inspection was conducted on July 11, 2011, 10 hours before the accident. The airplane was flown to a repair station for additional maintenance prior to the accident. The airplane had a previous nose landing gear failure and had been repaired by the pilot's mechanic. A mechanic at the repair station looked at the nose landing gear down lock and observed it only had a 2 millimeter clearance. The mechanic called the pilot and informed him the airplane did not have enough down lock engagement. The pilot informed the mechanic to fix the problem. The mechanic installed a short block PN 010A-39108-125 to get the proper engagement as outlined in the maintenance manual. A review of the logbooks revealed no determination could be made as to who had previously worked on the drag strut.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 EDT
Nearest AirportCobb County Airport Mc Collum (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length6311 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMitsubishi MU-2B-25
Tail NumberN344KL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLaurel Mountain Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsHoneywell · TPE331-6-251M · Turboprop · 715 | Honeywell · TPR331-6-251M · Turboprop · 715
Seats10

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 37 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 61 F
Altimeter29.90 inHg
Observation Time21:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data