Incident Sequence
On approach to runway 7 right at Daytona Beach International Airport, a private pilot was conducting takeoffs and landings under the supervision of a certified flight instructor (CFI). The crosswind was estimated between 10 and 11 knots. On one approach, the pilot applied a left crosswind correction but did not remove it before touchdown. The airplane landed abruptly with a side load on the left main landing gear. The CFI stated he was late in taking corrective action to prevent the side load.
Post-Flight and Maintenance
After the airplane touched down, the gear in transit light remained illuminated during gear retraction. The CFI did not observe any damage to the airplane after the flight and did not record the discrepancy in the maintenance log, though he mentioned it to the airplane dispatcher. The airplane was flown the following day, and the gear in transit light stayed on. After that flight, the airplane was taxied to the maintenance hangar. The Director of Maintenance for the operator found that the up side of the nose gear limit switch had slipped out of position. The limit switch was repositioned and tightened, but the limit switches on the left and right main landing gear were not inspected. The airplane was then taxied back to the ramp and parked.
Discovery of Damage
On June 22, 2005, the Maintenance Director was notified by an airplane refueler that the airplane had damage to the left wing. Examination revealed a 3-inch tear on the top skin of the left wing skin adjacent to the fuel cap, half of the rivets had pulled out of the wing skin, and the rib located next to the left main landing gear strut was damaged. The left main landing gear transition micro switch was displaced, and the landing gear transit light remained on. A functional landing gear retraction test was completed, and no anomalies were noted except for the illuminated transit light.