What happened
On January 1, 2019, a Piper PA-46-350P, registration PP-MAX, was performing a private passenger flight from Torres, RS, to Porto Belo, SC. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and four passengers when, during the landing phase at Costa Esmeralda Aerodrome (SDEN), the aircraft lost directional control and exited the right side of the runway. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, though all five occupants escaped without injury.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and airport surveillance footage. The footage showed the aircraft landing without any visible abnormalities in the pilot's execution of the landing maneuver. However, upon inspection of the landing gear, investigators discovered that the right main landing gear wheel had rotated 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft.
Detailed examination revealed that the bolt, washers, nut, and cotter pin that secured the two parts of the Landing Gear Torque Link Assembly were missing. While the aircraft was found to be operating outside of its weight and balance limits—specifically 172kg above the maximum allowable weight and exceeding the aft Center of Gravity (C.G.) limit—investigators determined there was no causal link between the weight imbalance and the loss of the hardware. The bushings in the torque link assembly showed only normal wear consistent with regular operations.
Findings
- The primary cause of the directional loss was the failure of the right main landing gear torque link assembly due to missing securing components (bolt, nut, washers, and cotter pin).
- The loss of these components was likely due to improper maintenance practices or a failure to detect the missing cotter pin during subsequent inspections.
- The aircraft was operating in an overweight condition, exceeding the maximum landing weight by 172kg and exceeding the aft C.G. limit.
- Aircraft maintenance logs (monthly utilization records) were not up to date since March 2018.
- The pilot was properly licensed, rated, and medically certified for the flight, and meteorological conditions were favorable.