2017 Tecnam P2006T Front Landing Gear Incident at Grądy Airport (SP-MMB)

Incident Overview and Aircraft Details On 9 September 2017, a training flight involving a Tecnam P2006T aircraft operated by Ventum Air Flight Academy resulted in an incident at Grądy Airport (EPGY). The aircraft, manufactured in 2017, was on a training flight for a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL(A)). The crew consisted of a 37-year-old instructor pilot and a 29-year-old student pilot, both holding CPL(A) licences. The flight originated from Warsaw-Babice Airport (EPBC) and was en route to Grądy Airport for circuit training, specifically focusing on landings with crosswind. ## Sequence of Events During the fourth landing on runway 27 at Grądy Airport, the aircraft made a normal touchdown on the main landing gear followed by the nose gear. Shortly after the nose gear touched down, vibrations were observed in the front landing gear. Approximately one to two seconds later, the nose of the aircraft dropped, and the aircraft continued its rollout with damaged front landing gear. The instructor pilot noted that the vibrations were not of the 'shimmy' type. At the time of the incident, wind speed did not exceed 10 knots, and the crosswind component was within the limits specified in the aircraft's Flight Manual. There was no abrupt braking that could have overloaded the nose gear, and the aircraft was not overloaded. ## Damage Assessment Investigation revealed that during the rollout after the nose gear touchdown, the shock absorber of the front landing gear fractured, causing the vibrations. Subsequently, a fragment of the fork with the wheel broke off and came to rest horizontally under the fuselage. The kinematic elements and the actuator for the gear's retraction and extension were also damaged. As the aircraft moved across the asphalt runway surface, the broken fork fragment, wheel rim, and tire were significantly worn down. This friction prevented the fuselage from contacting the runway surface, thereby avoiding more severe damage. Only minor local deformations and punctures in the lower covers at the points of contact with the damaged nose gear elements, along with light abrasions on the gear bay covers, occurred. ## Investigation and Probable Cause The incident was reported to the Police, who tested the crew for alcohol, with both pilots testing negative (0.00 promille). The Polish State Aviation Investigation Board (PKBWL) was also notified. The last maintenance of the aircraft was completed on 31 August 2017, at 101.7 flight hours and 120 landings. By the time of the incident, the aircraft had accumulated 115 flight hours and 143 landings. No signs of front landing gear damage were observed in previous flights. No crew errors or maintenance errors were identified. The most probable cause of the incident was a material defect in the construction of the shock absorber, the effects of which manifested during operation. No contributing circumstances were identified, and no safety recommendations were issued.