Accident Summary
On December 31, 2009, about 2045 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32R-300, registration N8985C, sustained substantial damage while landing at Concord Regional Airport (JQF), Concord, North Carolina. The airplane was registered to Bellefonte, Inc. and operated by Ram Air Freight. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the on-demand cargo flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 135. The flight originated at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), Raleigh, North Carolina, at 1945.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported performing an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 20. Upon touchdown, the airplane "jolted" to the left. As the airplane headed toward the runway edge, the pilot added power, rotated, and flew back to the runway centerline. With sufficient runway remaining, he closed the throttle, flared, and felt the left main and nose wheels contact the runway, but not the right main wheel. The right wing tip contacted the runway, and the pilot used full rudder to maintain directional control. The airplane came to a stop, and the pilot exited and was assisted by airport personnel.
Weather Conditions
The 2055 weather observation at JQF included: 100 feet overcast, surface winds calm, 1/4 statute miles visibility with fog and mist, temperature 8°C, dew point 6°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.03 inches of mercury.
Inspection Findings
An FAA inspector examined the accident site and the airplane with assistance from an aircraft maintenance technician provided by the operator. Inspection revealed that the right main landing gear had collapsed. An AN4-40A attachment bolt (Piper part number 401-335) and retainer assembly (part number 67502-00) had backed out of the aft landing gear trunnion assembly. The landing gear then separated at the aft trunnion. The barrel nut that held the bolt was missing and was not located.
Maintenance Records
The inspector reviewed the maintenance records and found no evidence of recent maintenance to the landing gear that would be associated with the aft trunnion attachment hardware. There were no gear swings or other recent landing gear maintenance for well over a year before the accident. All required inspections were complied with, and no anomalies were found in the airplane inspection program.
Post-Accident Actions
Following the accident, the operator inspected all 30 fleet airplanes and found no similar anomalies. Additionally, all aircraft maintenance technicians were briefed on the accident and alerted to the area where the gear attachment hardware had separated.