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September 7, 2012 · Socata TBM 700 · N850ZM

Horseshoe Bay, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 7, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Horseshoe Bay, TX
Aircraft
Socata TBM 700
Tail Number
N850ZM
Operator
Randell D Vinson
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN12LA672

The pilot reported that, after configuring the airplane for landing, the cockpit indications showed that the landing gear was down and locked. Upon landing, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane subsequently veered off the runway. Postaccident examination of the landing gear revealed that the right main landing gear actuator rod end was separated from the actuator ball joint. No other anomalies were noted. Further examination of the actuator rod and ball joint revealed that the ball joint was not centered or set in its normal position. In April 2013, after several other events involving similar landing gear malfunctions, the manufacturer issued two mandatory service bulletins (SB), which outlined protocols for inspecting the pistons and rods of the landing gear actuators, inspecting the ball joint centering of the landing gear actuators, and measuring the ball joint mismatches. In March 2014, the Federal Aviation Administration issued an airworthiness directive, which required compliance with the manufacturer's SBs and the repair or replacement of affected parts.

NTSB Probable Cause

The off-centered right main landing gear ball joint, which resulted in the right main landing gear collapsing during landing.

Full Narrative

On September 7, 2012, at 1500 central daylight time, a Socata TBM 700, N850ZM, registered to the pilot, sustained substantial damage after its right main landing gear collapsed while landing on runway 17 at the Horseshoe Bay Resort Airport, Horseshoe Bay, Texas. The private pilot and his 2 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plane was not filed. The flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The cross-country flight originated at 1230 from Abilene, Texas.After an uneventful cross-country flight, the pilot configured the airplane for landing and had cockpit indications that the landing gear was down and locked. Upon a normal landing, the right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane veered off the runway. Examination of the landing gear after the accident revealed that the right main landing gear actuator was separated from the actuator ball joint. No other anomalies were noted. Further inspection of the actuator rod and ball joint revealed that the ball joint appeared to be not centered and set in its normal position. After several other events involving similar landing gear malfunctions, the manufacturer issued two Mandatory Service Bulletins (SB) in April, 2013. SB70-197 and SB70-206 outlined protocols for inspection of the pistons and rods of landing gear actuators and inspection of the ball joint centering of the landing gear actuators and ball joint mismatches. The FAA following by issuing AD 2014-06-06 in March, 2014, requiring compliance with the manufacturers SBs to inspect, repair or replace affected parts.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CDT
Nearest AirportHorseshoe Bay Resort Airport (0nm N)
Runway17
Runway Length5977 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSocata TBM 700
Tail NumberN850ZM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRandell D Vinson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W Canada · PT6A-66 SER · Turboprop · 850
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data