Incident Overview
A flight experienced an anomaly shortly after takeoff when the pilot detected strong pressure on the right rudder pedal. The pilot trimmed the rudder to relieve the pressure and continued operating in the local area. The approach and touchdown were normal, but a sudden directional deviation occurred during the landing rollout.
Sequence of Events
Following a normal flare and touchdown, the nose wheel contacted the runway. At that moment, the airplane veered sharply to the left, tipped onto its right side, and dragged the right wing tip along the pavement. This resulted in substantial damage to the right wing.
Mechanical Findings
Post-incident examination revealed that the bolt (part number AN3H3A) securing the collar (part number PN1243617-1) to the strut was broken. This breakage allowed the collar to become loose, which in turn prevented the nosewheel from centering while the airplane was airborne. The misaligned nosewheel caused the unusual rudder pressure noted by the pilot.
Examination of the Failed Bolt
Inspection of the fractured surface of the bolt showed that oxidation had removed the fracture pattern. As a result, the specific cause of the bolt failure could not be determined.
Conclusion
The investigation did not establish a definitive reason for the bolt failure. The incident was attributed to the mechanical failure that led to the nosewheel being off-center during flight, affecting control inputs and causing the runway excursion upon landing.