Event Description
On Tuesday, 25 August 2009, at approximately 14:30 local time, a Piper PA-46-500TP aircraft, registration N31145, experienced a nose gear malfunction while climbing to cruising altitude after departing from Ibiza Airport. The flight was a return trip to Lausanne, Switzerland, following an uneventful morning leg. Weather conditions were suitable with no clouds or wind and high temperature.
During climb, the pilot observed that the red "GEAR" warning light remained illuminated, indicating the landing gear was not fully retracted. After reducing speed to the limits specified for gear operation, the pilot cycled the gear multiple times. Lowering the gear caused the three green lights to illuminate, but raising it again triggered the red warning. The pilot then reported the issue and returned to Ibiza.
On final approach, the green lights confirmed gear down and locked. The pilot performed a long flare and gentle landing. After slowing, a slight rudder input to exit the runway caused the aircraft to abruptly stop. The aircraft could not move under its own power, and the pilot requested emergency assistance. Both occupants left the aircraft uninjured.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft, a Piper PA-46-500TP Malibu (serial number 46-97215), was manufactured in 2005 and had accumulated 500 flight hours. It held a valid FAA Airworthiness Certificate issued on 9 August 2005. The pilot held a Commercial Pilot License (CPL(A)) and was 54 years old; total flight hours were not available.
Inspection Findings
Emergency services found the aircraft in good overall condition, but the nose gear wheel was rotated 90° relative to the aircraft’s longitudinal axis. The tire casing was destroyed, and the wheel was worn from rolling on the pavement. The scissor linkages on the nose gear had become loose and separated.
A screw that normally joins the scissor linkages was found attached to the lower linkage but without its nut. The nut, a crown nut with a split pin, was missing. The screw showed no deformation or damage to its body, split pin orifice, or thread, indicating it had not been subjected to excessive stress.
Analysis and Conclusions
The incident occurred because the scissor linkages separated. The separation likely resulted from the loss of the nut on the attaching screw, which should have been secured by a split pin. The nut is believed to have progressively loosened, and the split pin may have been fractured, improperly installed, or absent. The nut likely fell off during the takeoff run, causing the misalignment that triggered the cockpit warning when the gear was retracted.