Wednesday, September 04, 2013

Bad repairs led to plane crash - Transport Accident Investigation Commission: Piper PA31-350 Navajo Chieftain, air2there.com, ZK-MYS

Investigation 11-004

Piper PA31-350 Navajo Chieftain, ZK-MYS, landing without nose landing gear extended, Nelson Aerodrome, 11 May 2011

On 11 May 2011 the nose landing gear of a Piper PA31-350 Navajo Chieftain (the aeroplane) jammed in a partially retracted position during a training flight at Nelson Aerodrome. The nose landing gear could not be extended again, and in the subsequent landing the aeroplane sustained substantial damage. Neither of the 2 pilots, the only persons on board, was injured.

The nose landing gear jammed as a result of wrong parts and incorrect maintenance, over a number of years, which allowed the landing gear to turn too far when full rudder was applied during the training exercise. The increased angle and misalignment between 2 key components prevented the nose landing gear centring during the retraction, and the jam ensued.

This aeroplane had a recent history of nose landing gear defects, including other failures to extend or retract normally. Some of the rectifications of the earlier defects, carried out by various maintenance organisations, had not been in accordance with Civil Aviation Rules, because incorrect parts or unauthorized repairs had been used, and the aeroplane manufacturer's Maintenance Manual procedures had not been followed.

Full Report:  http://www.taic.org.nz


A history of landing gear problems and maintenance contrary to Civil Aviation rules have been blamed for a Nelson plane crash in 2011.

A report from the Transport Accident Investigation Commission released its report today into the crash on May 11.

The report says the nose landing gear jammed "as a result of wrong parts and incorrect maintenance over a number of years".

Misalignment between two key components prevented the nose landing gear from centring during the retraction which caused the jam.

The Commission says the aircraft's own maintenance manual procedures had not been followed and unauthorised repairs had been done on the aircraft.

"Some of the rectifications of the earlier defects, carried out by various maintenance organizations had not been in accordance with Civil Aviation rules because incorrect parts or unauthorised repairs had been used," the report says.

The Commission says the standard of maintenance for general aviation aircraft needs to be improved.

It has also recommended the Director of Civil Aviation take action to improve the level of compliance in the general aviation maintenance sector.

This included the need for duplicate checks to reduce the likelihood of recurring problems and incidents.

The nose landing gear of the Piper PA31-350 Navajo Chieftain partially jammed during a training flight at the Nelson Aerodrome.

The landing gear could not be extended again and the aircraft was substantially damaged, but neither of the two pilots inside were injured.

Source:  http://www.3news.co.nz