History of the Flight
On Saturday, 9 June 2012 at 12:15 local time, a Piper PA-23-250 Aztec E, registration EC-GGF, departed Sabadell Airport on a private flight with one pilot and five passengers. The flight was uneventful until landing at Igualada Aerodrome. After initial touchdown, the pilot noted the left main gear giving way. The aircraft travelled approximately 330 m, leaving the runway to the left before stopping. It came to rest supported by the nose gear, right main gear, and left wing. All six occupants were uninjured and evacuated unassisted. Weather was not a factor.
Personnel Information
The pilot, a 34-year-old Belgian national, held a private pilot license (airplane) obtained in July 2011. He started multi-engine training in September 2011 and received a multi-engine rating in January 2012. At the time, he had 202 total flight hours, with 35 on type (mostly on EC-GGF). In the previous month he flew 8 hours; his last flight was 8 days prior. Medical and linguistic competency certificates were valid.
Aircraft Information
The PA-23-250 (serial 27-4810) was manufactured in 1972 and originally served with Spain's air force (E.19-4). It was bought by Aeroclub de Sabadell in December 1997. At the incident, it had 7,312 flight hours. The landing gear was original. The maintenance program included 50- and 100-hour inspections but no cycle-based checks or gear overhaul. The last 100-hour check was on 13 April 2012 at 7,293 hours. A hydraulic leak on the left main gear was repaired on an earlier date by replacing O-rings and adjusting actuator pressures.
Landing Gear Description
The retractable landing gear comprised a strut assembly with a piston tube, torque links, and a drag link. Three projections on the strut attached the drag link, torque link, and drag link fitting support. The drag link fitting support connected the gear to the aircraft.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Initial runway marks were from the left gear. The aircraft left a continuous line from the left propeller and left tire tracks. Right tire tracks appeared further forward with braking signs. After about 70 m on the runway at a 25° left angle, the aircraft continued on the dirt shoulder, pivoting left to a final heading of approximately 040°. The left wing underside showed scratches near the tip; left propeller tips were damaged; the left flap was bent. The main gear drag link remained in the down-and-locked position. The drag link fitting support was normal but its reinforcement was bent. The main gear strut had rotated about 90° backward, cracking and losing components: the projection for the drag link had separated. The fork assembly was twisted 90°, and the lower torque link detached. Hydraulic fluid was lost.
Tests and Research
The pilot stated the approach and landing were normal, with the right gear touching first, then left, then nose. After sensing the collapse, he steered left to avoid sparks on asphalt. Three eyewitnesses (a tow pilot, an instructor, and a ULM pilot) described the landing as very hard and the collapse occurring at touchdown.
Fracture Analysis
The fractured strut and detached projection were sent to a laboratory. Two fractures (A and B) completely separated the projection. Fractures A and B joined, and fracture C continued from that point.