On March 31, 1991, a Piper PA-31T (registration N308SC) operated by South Central Air, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Kenai, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the nose gear shimmy damper due to operation on rough ice and snow covered ramps. 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.
A pilot reported an unsafe nose gear indication after takeoff and was unable to lower it, landing with the gear retracted. Investigation revealed a failed shimmy damper, attributed to rough ice- and snow-covered ramps.
Incident Overview
A pilot reported an unsafe nose gear light following the after-takeoff gear retraction. Attempts to lower the nose gear were unsuccessful, and the aircraft landed at the destination airport with the nose gear retracted.
Investigation Findings
Post-incident examination determined that the nose gear shimmy damper had failed. The failed damper became jammed in the wheel well when the gear was retracted, preventing subsequent extension.
Cause
The investigation attributed the failure of the shimmy damper to operation on rough ice- and snow-covered ramps at both the origin and destination airports.
Probable cause
Failure of the nose gear shimmy damper due to operation on rough ice and snow covered ramps.
What happened in the 31 Mar 1991 Piper PA-31T accident near Kenai, AK?
A pilot reported an unsafe nose gear indication after takeoff and was unable to lower it, landing with the gear retracted. Investigation revealed a failed shimmy damper, attributed to rough ice- and snow-covered ramps.
Were there any fatalities in the 31 Mar 1991 Piper PA-31T accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 31 Mar 1991 involved a Piper PA-31T, registration N308SC, operated by South Central Air, Inc., at Kenai, AK.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
Failure of the nose gear shimmy damper due to operation on rough ice and snow covered ramps.
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