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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

March 8, 2019 · Piper PA31 325 · N45MJ

Leesburg, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 8, 2019
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Leesburg, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA31 325 (1979)
Tail Number
N45MJ
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA19LA125

The pilot reported that, while his airplane was undergoing an annual inspection, maintenance personnel suggested that an inner landing gear door kit be installed. After the door kit installation was completed, numerous test flights were conducted. Rigging adjustments were made after each flight, and while taxiing back to the ramp following the last flight, the right landing gear collapsed. A postaccident extension and retraction test were performed using a hydraulic test unit. Both normal and emergency (hand pump) landing gear extension and retraction tests were performed. When checking the actuator rigging, both left and right main landing gear actuators did not drive the main gear into a locked position. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the landing gear system were observed, thus it is likely that the rigging condition resulted in the collapse of the right main landing gear.

NTSB Probable Cause

Maintenance personnel’s improper rigging of the main landing gear actuators, which resulted in the collapse of the right main landing gear.

Full Narrative

On March 8, 2019, about 1000 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-31-325, N45MJ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Leesburg, Florida. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a flight test under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, he delivered his airplane to a maintenance facility for an annual inspection. It was suggested by maintenance personnel that an inner landing gear door kit be installed (STC SA00555DE) during the annual inspection. After the door kit installation was completed, numerous test flights were conducted. During the landing gear extension, two green landing lights appeared as expected, but the third light (right main landing gear) was very slow to illuminate. Adjustments were made after each flight, and on the last flight while taxiing back to the ramp after landing the right landing gear collapsed. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed buckling of the right inboard wing. Post-accident extension and retraction test were performed using a hydraulic test unit. Both normal and emergency (hand pump) landing gear extension and retraction test were performed. During normal extension it was noted the landing gear locking time was approximately 25 seconds, which exceeded the manufacturer’s specified time limit; however, the hydraulic test fixture used did not have flow control, which could account for this anomaly. It was discovered when checking the actuator rigging that both left and right main landing gear actuators did not drive the main gears into a locked position. Slight hand pressure on the gear door (inboard force) would keep the main landing gear from locking as actuator piston travel was bottomed out. When the force was removed, the weight of the gear would lock the gear.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EST
Nearest AirportLeesburg Intl (0nm SSE)
Runway13
Runway Length6300 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA31 325
Tail NumberN45MJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-J2B · Reciprocating · 350 | Lycoming · LTIO-540-J2B · Reciprocating · 350
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 73 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 54
Altimeter30.27 inHg
Observation Time15:29
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data