On November 9, 1986, a Piper PA-46-310-P (registration N4323N) was involved in an aviation accident near Bremerton, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The nose gear's failure to turn fully due to stiffness caused by the manufacturer not providing a lubrication method for the trunion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Aircraft veered off runway after nose gear failed to turn fully due to lack of lubrication method from manufacturer.
During the landing roll, the aircraft's nose gear did not complete its full 90-degree rotation prior to locking. As the pilot lowered the nose of the aircraft, this mechanical restriction caused the plane to veer toward one side of the runway.
Examination of the landing gear system revealed that the nose gear had become stiff. This stiffness was attributed to a design oversight by the manufacturer, which failed to provide any method to lubricate the trunion.
The nose gear's failure to turn fully due to stiffness caused by the manufacturer not providing a lubrication method for the trunion.