What happened
During the conclusion of an air taxi cargo flight, an airline transport certificated pilot was performing a landing on a hard-surfaced runway. During the landing roll, the aircraft veered to the right, and the pilot was unable to maintain directional control. This maneuver led to the collapse of the right main landing gear.
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the right wing spar of the retractable gear airplane. No injuries were reported.
The investigation
An inspection conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge and company maintenance personnel revealed that the right main landing gear scissor link/strut had become disconnected. This disconnection allowed the right main wheel assembly to turn sideways, which overloaded the gear leg.
Upon examination of the linkage, investigators found that the bolt securing the scissors/linkage had pulled through the washer adjacent to the scissor bushing opening and eventually through the bushing itself, causing the disconnection.
Records indicated that the aircraft manufacturer had previously issued Service Letter ME-83-37 on November 23, 1983. This letter recommended replacing the original equipment outer main landing gear scissors link washers with larger, more robust versions to improve service life and maintain landing gear alignment. The operator had not complied with this nonmandatory service letter, and the aircraft was operating with the smaller washers.