What happened
The aircraft veered off the left side of runway 9R while attempting to land. Upon inspection following the incident, it was determined that the torque link washers on the left main landing gear had failed. This mechanical failure allowed the wheel assembly to rotate unexpectedly, which directly caused the loss of directional control during the landing roll.
The investigation
A thorough examination of the aircraft was conducted to determine the root cause of the incident. Investigators found that the left main landing gear had suffered a structural failure of its torque link washers. This specific component failure permitted the wheel assembly to rotate, compromising the pilot's ability to maintain the runway centerline.
Findings
The investigation uncovered a critical maintenance gap regarding the aircraft's airframe components. There was no record of compliance with Service Letter ME83-87, which specifically addresses the replacement of main landing gear scissor washers to prevent this type of occurrence. The absence of this required maintenance action is a significant factor in the incident.
Safety message
Adherence to manufacturer service letters is essential for maintaining airworthiness. Operators must ensure that all recommended inspections and replacements, such as those for landing gear components, are completed and documented to prevent similar mechanical failures.