Incident Overview
On March 24, 2018, at approximately 08:11 Japan Standard Time, a Peach Aviation Ltd. Airbus A320-214, registered JA805P, operating as scheduled flight 151, landed on Runway 16 at Fukuoka Airport. After touchdown, the first officer, who was the pilot flying, felt small vibrations at around 100 knots. The vibrations increased as the aircraft slowed, and at about 40 knots, the pilot in command took over control. The aircraft was unable to steer and came to a stop on the runway, with its heading about 15 degrees left of the centerline. The nose wheels were turned about 90 degrees clockwise relative to the aircraft axis.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft sustained slight damage. The nose landing gear exhibited the following: both tires and wheels damaged; torque links separated with the apex pin disconnected; nut, lock plate, shur-lok washer, two washers, and bolt missing; proximity sensor and target support fractured; and impact marks on the steering actuator cylinder.
Investigation Findings
The apex pin, which connects the upper and lower torque links, was recovered on the runway. Its threads were found damaged and corroded. Other parts of the pin assembly were not recovered. The aircraft had undergone a visual inspection of the pin during a heavy maintenance check on May 19, 2017, at an outsourcing maintenance company in Taiwan, and no abnormality was found. The pin had last been greased on February 6, 2018. Total time in service for the pin was 16,598 hours, 10,496 cycles, and five years five months. After the incident, the airline inspected 17 other A320s and found corroded pin threads on six, which were replaced.
Flight Crew Information
The pilot in command, aged 65, held an airline transport pilot certificate and had 19,028 total flight hours, with 4,650 hours on type. The first officer, aged 24, held a commercial pilot certificate and had 487 total flight hours, with 244 hours on type.
Meteorological Conditions
At 08:00, the weather at Fukuoka Airport was fine: wind from 160° at 10 knots, visibility 10 km or more, few clouds at 3,000 ft, temperature 9°C, dew point 5°C, QNH 30.20 inHg.