Incident Overview
During landing, the pilot felt the airplane pull right at touchdown. Despite combined use of flight controls, left brake, and differential power, the drift off the runway was reduced but not prevented. The aircraft ultimately departed the runway surface.
Mechanical Failure
A broken torque link on the right main landing gear scissors assembly allowed the lower strut to turn out of alignment. This caused the right main tire to scrub sideways throughout the landing roll, contributing to the loss of directional control.
History of Similar Failures
Since 1985, there have been 17 similar failures of the torque link. The manufacturer addressed this issue by incorporating a redesigned link in new production aircraft starting in 1982, with no failures reported on the redesigned part.
Service Bulletin
Service Bulletin 746A, issued in May 1986, offers a replacement link for the affected component.