Accident Overview
On April 27, 2022, at approximately 1325 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-24-260 airplane, registration N73T, was substantially damaged in an accident near Terre Haute, Indiana. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight was conducted as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that shortly after departure, the baggage door opened. He decided to return to land. While on the downwind leg, after selecting the landing gear lever to the down position, the landing gear in transit light remained illuminated and the circuit breaker tripped. The pilot reset the circuit breaker, recycled the landing gear, and the landing gear down light illuminated. Upon landing, the right main landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing.
Examination Findings
An on-scene examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector determined that the spherical bearing common to the right main landing gear forward trunnion fitting had failed. The outer bearing race failed, allowing the landing gear strut to separate from the trunnion. Examination of the fracture surface revealed signatures consistent with overstress. No evidence of corrosion or fatigue was observed.