Incident Overview
On 23 June 2022, at 1435 UTC, a Piper PA-23-250 (registration N13987, serial number 27-4605) sustained a landing gear collapse while landing at Auguste George Airport in the British Virgin Islands. The aircraft, powered by two Lycoming TIO-540-C4B5 piston engines, was operating a commercial air transport flight with only the pilot on board (no passengers). The pilot, an Airline Transport Pilot Licence holder aged 47 with 8,000 total flying hours (3,000 on type), reported that the landing was normal, but the right main landing gear collapsed rearwards as the aircraft slowed during the rollout. The pilot was uninjured.
Damage and Investigation
The accident resulted in damage to the right main landing gear, propeller, and flap. The aircraft operator's maintenance agency investigated and found that the right main landing gear drag bolt had broken. Similar failures on other PA-23 aircraft had been previously identified.
Manufacturer and Regulatory Actions
In January 2017, the aircraft manufacturer issued Service Bulletin 1299, which called for periodic checks and replacement of the drag bolts. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) followed with Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) CE-17-08 in February 2017, recommending that operators comply with the manufacturer's bulletin. However, the FAA did not consider the failure an unsafe condition, so no Airworthiness Directive was issued.
Operator's Response
The aircraft operator informed the AAIB that they had periodically checked the bolts in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and had found no anomalies. Following the accident, the operator stated that they would replace the drag bolts on all their PA-23 aircraft.