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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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June 3, 2021 · Piper PA-28-161 · N2120J

San Angelo, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 3, 2021
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
San Angelo, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161 (1978)
Tail Number
N2120J
Operator
Nuytten Patrick
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN21LA256

The flight instructor stated that, during the landing roll, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane veered left, which damaged the left wing. Examination of the left main landing gear strut revealed that several mounting holes were elongated, consistent with wear over an extended period, and several bolts were missing. The landing gear strut’s missing bolts and loose hardware likely resulted in the failure of the remaining fasteners to support the airplane’s weight and resulted in the landing gear collapse. Although the airplane’s maintenance records were not made available for review and the maintenance history of the landing gear could not be determined, the elongated mounting holes and missing bolts were consistent with maintenance personnel’s failure to ensure that proper torque was applied to the landing gear strut hardware.

NTSB Probable Cause

Inadequate maintenance of the left main landing gear strut, which resulted in a landing gear collapse.

Full Narrative

On June 2, 2021, about 2050 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161 airplane, N2120J, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near San Angelo, Texas. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The instructor stated that, during the landing roll, he noticed the left wing lower as if the tire was flat. The airplane subsequently veered left, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. Postaccident examination revealed a hole on top of the left wing where the left main landing gear strut assembly had broken loose from the upper left wing spar cap. Several mounting holes in the left main landing gear strut were elongated, consistent with wear over an extended period of time. Several landing gear strut mounting bolts were loose, and all bolts were missing from the lower strut assembly mount. During removal of the left main landing gear strut assembly from the left wing, only the brake line remained attached, with no other hardware securing the left main landing gear strut to the left wing. The airplane’s maintenance records were not made available for review, and the maintenance history of the landing gear could not be determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:50 CDT
Nearest AirportSan Angelo Regional Airport (0.2nm S)
Runway18
Runway Length8054 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN2120J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNuytten Patrick
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 36 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 63 F
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time20:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data