On September 5, 1983, a Piper PA-25-235 (registration N8715L) was involved in an aviation accident near Pinehurst, GA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During the landing roll, all three shock cords on the left main landing gear failed, causing the gear to collapse. The aircraft departed the runway, crossed a drainage ditch, and then the right main gear cords also broke. The pilot noted the cords were rotted.
Event Description
According to the pilot, during the landing roll all three shock cords on the left main landing gear fractured, leading to a collapse of that gear. The aircraft subsequently veered off the runway and traversed a drainage ditch. At that point, all three shock cords on the right main landing gear also gave way.
Shock Cord Condition
The pilot reported that the broken shock cords were found to be in a rotted state. These cords had been installed on the aircraft approximately two years prior to the incident.
Inspection Requirements
The inspection sheet for the Piper PA-25-235 specifies that shock cords should be examined for signs of weakness, fraying, and insecure attachments. However, the documentation does not prescribe a mandatory replacement interval for the shock cords.