What happened
On April 14, 2014, at approximately 13:30 local time, a Piper PA-25-235, registration CX-BJT-R, was performing agricultural spraying operations at the "Los Arenales" estate in the Soriano Department, Uruguay. After completing its seventh flight of the day, the aircraft had loaded 240 kg of oat seed.
While maneuvering on a dirt and grass runway with the engine running, the pilot intended to taxi toward a refueling area. During this ground movement, a component within the left main landing gear shock absorber system failed. This failure caused the left main gear to collapse, forcing the aircraft to tilt sharply to the left. As the aircraft leaned, the propeller and the left wing tip struck the ground, and the fuselage came to rest on the solid spreader equipment.
The pilot evacuated the aircraft safely and was uninjured. There was no fire, but the aircraft sustained significant damage, including impacts to the left wing tip, the propeller blades, and the lower fuselage.
The investigation
The CIAIA investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the landing gear and the maintenance history of the aircraft. Investigators examined the wreckage and identified that the fracture occurred at the eyelet of the shock absorber assembly.
Technical analysis revealed that the shock absorber assembly installed on the aircraft lacked proper identification and installation records. Furthermore, the investigation found that the specific assembly in use was not the improved version recommended by the manufacturer. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's maintenance logs, noting that a 100-hour inspection had been performed approximately ten days prior to the accident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a fracture in the eyelet of the left main landing gear shock absorber assembly, which led to the collapse of the gear.
- The aircraft was operating with a shock absorber assembly that did not meet the updated safety standards recommended by the manufacturer.
- The operator had not implemented Service Bulletin No. 25/32/04, which provides reinforced components and a safety kit designed to prevent wing damage in the event of a gear failure.
- The use of components that do not meet current airworthiness safety recommendations was a contributing factor.
- Environmental conditions, including the runway surface and weather, did not contribute to the accident.