On May 20, 2001, a Piper PA-44-180 (registration N3042C) operated by Clearwater Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Brooksville, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The fatigue failure of the left main landing gear strut that resulted in collapse of the landing gear. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During takeoff roll, the pilot aborted after the aircraft pulled left; application of brakes led to left main landing gear collapse. Examination revealed fatigue cracks in the gear strut cylinder originating from a roughly machined bolt hole, with fatigue occupying 35% of the cross-section.
Incident Summary
During the takeoff roll, the pilot observed the aircraft pulling to the left. He subsequently aborted the takeoff and reduced power. As the pilot applied the brakes, the left main landing gear collapsed.
Examination Findings
Post-incident examination of the gear strut cylinder revealed fatigue cracks. These cracks originated from multiple locations on opposite sides of the bolt hole located on the forward side of the cylinder. Microscopic examination of the bolt hole showed that its surface was roughly machined. The total fatigue region occupied approximately 35 percent of the cross-sectional area of the cylinder.