Casualties unknown

1999-09-02: Piper PA-34-220T (N6915Z) — Nantucket, MA

Nantucket, MA, US

On September 2, 1999, a Piper PA-34-220T (registration N6915Z) was involved in an aviation accident near Nantucket, MA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing which resulted in a hard landing and the fracture and collapse of the right main landing gear. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported a bumpy landing with ballooning before the right main landing gear collapsed, causing the airplane to veer off the runway. Metallurgical examination found overstress fractures in the trunnion web area, with no pre-existing cracks.

Incident Overview

A pilot operating under visual flight rules (VFR) conducted a visual approach to Runway 06. According to the pilot's account, the landing was described as "a little bumpier than some, but not a hard landing," and the airplane "ballooned" before its final touchdown.

Landing Gear Failure

Following the final touchdown, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane veered off the side of the runway. An examination of the landing gear revealed a fracture in the web area of the trunnion.

Relevant Directives and Service Bulletins

An Airworthiness Directive (AD) and a service bulletin from the manufacturer had called for inspection of the web area for cracks, stating: "To prevent collapse of the main landing gear caused by cracked trunnions, which could result in airplane damage."

Metallurgical Findings

A detailed metallurgical examination of the landing gear determined that the fractures were due to overstress. No pre-existing fractures were observed in the trunnion.

Conclusion

The investigation did not provide a single stated cause for the event, but the overstress fractures were identified as the immediate technical failure.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X19782. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.