On May 9, 1988, a Cessna 172 (registration N7090A) was involved in an aviation accident near Kennewick, WA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During landing roll, the nose gear shuddered and turned 90 degrees left, causing the aircraft to nose down onto the nose and right wing. Post-incident examination found a fractured shimmy damper arm with a previous weld and a fractured steering rod bolt.
Event Description
During the landing roll, the aircraft's nose gear began to shudder. The nose gear then turned 90 degrees to the left, and the aircraft nosed down onto the nose and right wing.
Examination Findings
Visual examination of the shimmy damper arm assembly revealed a previous weld located within half an inch of a fracture. The fracture surfaces were rough and irregular in appearance. The nose gear steering rod end bearing bolt was also fractured, with the fracture pattern suggesting bending forces.
Maintenance Records
No record of a repair to the nose gear shimmy damper arm assembly could be found in the aircraft's maintenance log books.
What happened in the 9 May 1988 Cessna 172 accident near Kennewick, WA?
During landing roll, the nose gear shuddered and turned 90 degrees left, causing the aircraft to nose down onto the nose and right wing. Post-incident examination found a fractured shimmy damper arm with a previous weld and a fractured steering rod bolt.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 9 May 1988 involved a Cessna 172, registration N7090A, at Kennewick, WA.
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