On August 16, 1988, a Piper PA-44-180 (registration N2193V) was involved in an aviation accident near Vero Beach, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The right gear strut housing failed due to shear and torsion as a result of a side load and hard landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During multi-engine rating preparation, a CFI and student experienced a harder landing. On the next approach, the right gear indicator showed a problem. After failed attempts, a gear-up landing was executed. Inspection revealed the right gear strut housing failed from shear and torsion due to side load and hard landing.
Incident Details
A Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and his private pilot-rated multi-engine student were conducting touch-and-go landings in preparation for the multi-engine rating. During these maneuvers, the CFI noted that one of the landings was harder than usual, though not overly hard.
Landing and Gear Issues
On the subsequent approach, the flight crew observed that the right gear indicator was not showing a down and locked condition. The tower confirmed that there was a problem with the right gear. All attempts to get the gear down and locked were unsuccessful. Consequently, the CFI made the decision to land with all gear up.
Post-Inspection Findings
An inspection by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that the right gear strut housing had failed due to shear and torsion. This failure was determined to be a result of a side load and hard landing.
Probable cause
The right gear strut housing failed due to shear and torsion as a result of a side load and hard landing.