Casualties unknown

2005-03-05: Piper PA-23-250 (N33AC) — Westport, OK

Westport, OK, US

On March 5, 2005, a Piper PA-23-250 (registration N33AC) was involved in an aviation accident near Westport, OK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The collapsing of the right main landing gear as a result of the failure of the scissors assembly. 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

During landing roll on a 2,900-foot asphalt runway, the right main landing gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to veer right, exit the runway, and strike trees. Examination revealed missing hardware on the torque link assembly.

Event Description

The pilot, who had accumulated 5,500 hours of flight experience, reported that during the landing roll on runway 3, the right main landing gear collapsed. Runway 3 is a 2,900-foot long and 42-foot wide asphalt runway. Following the collapse, the airplane veered to the right, exited the runway, and traveled down a rock embankment. During this excursion, the aircraft struck multiple small trees.

Examination Findings

An examination of the right main landing gear was conducted. The torque link assembly, part number 31805-06 (also known as the scissors assembly), was found to be missing several components. The missing parts included a bolt (part number 751 370), a cotter pin (part number 424 052), a castle nut (part number 404 101), a washer (part number 407 565), and a bushing (part number 751 367). No other discrepancies or causes were identified in the report.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20050310X00295. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.