Event Summary
On March 21, 2008, a Piper PA-44-180 was involved in a runway excursion during a flight examination for a multiengine rating. The check pilot reported that during a landing, the student pilot executed a hard landing, causing the right main landing gear tire to burst. Subsequently, the student and check pilot lost directional control, and the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The nose landing gear dug into soft ground.
Inspection and Discovery
The damage was not immediately reported. On April 30, 2008, during taxi, the “gear unsafe” light illuminated and would not extinguish. The operator was notified, and maintenance personnel discovered substantial damage to the nose landing gear support structure, including both the left and right gear well webs. Interviews with company personnel revealed that the airplane had been involved in the March 21 runway excursion.
Maintenance Actions
After the runway excursion, a mechanic was dispatched to the airport where the incident occurred. The right main landing gear tire was replaced because it had blown on landing. The right main landing gear was inspected following the tire replacement; however, no record of the nose gear being inspected was found. The National Transportation Safety Board was notified of the incident on May 21, 2008.