Nose gear collapse during takeoff causes Piper PA-34 damage at Requena

Casualties unknown • Aeródromo de Requena (Valencia / València), ES

A Piper PA-34-200 experienced an uncommanded nose gear retraction during a takeoff maneuver, resulting in the aircraft sliding on its fuselage and sustaining propeller damage.

What happened

On September 8, 2021, at 16:30 local time, a PIPER PA-34-200, registration EC-IHS, was conducting a dual flight instruction mission at the Requena aerodrome in Valencia, Spain. The flight, involving an instructor and a student, was performing maneuvers to prepare for a multi-engine rating exam, including turns, slow flight, and stalls.

Following a series of maneuvers and a simulated engine failure, the crew performed a touch-and-go maneuver. After landing and configuring the aircraft for takeoff by retracting the flaps and applying power, the nose gear collapsed approximately two seconds into the takeoff roll. The aircraft's nose dropped, causing the plane to slide along the runway on its fuselage. The instructor took control and applied the brakes to bring the aircraft to a halt. Both occupants, the instructor and the student, were uninjured and evacuated the aircraft safely after the fuel and electrical systems were shut down.

The investigation

The investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the nose gear assembly. Physical examination of the aircraft revealed that the propeller blades had deformed due to impact with the pavement, and the lower fuselage sustained damage from the sliding motion.

Investigators inspected the nose gear assembly and found that while the emergency extension system functioned correctly, the mechanical locking mechanism had failed. Upon disassembly of the nose gear downlock tensioner, investigators discovered that the upper attachment pin was bent. Furthermore, during the subsequent repair process, it was noted that the nose wheel axle had also become bent.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the incident was the uncommanded retraction of the nose gear, triggered by the failure of the tensioner bolt that holds the articulated strut in the extended position.
  • The failure of this locking bolt prevented the strut from remaining properly locked, allowing the gear to fold into the compartment under the loads experienced during the takeoff roll.
  • It is possible that cumulative stresses from repeated landings during flight instruction may have progressively damaged the tensioner bolt.
  • The nose wheel axle was also found to be bent as a result of the impact.

Probable cause

The nose gear collapsed because the locking tensioner bolt failed, which prevented the articulated strut from remaining in the down position during the takeoff roll.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2021-09-08 PIPER modelo PA-34-200T accident near Aeródromo de Requena (Valencia / València), ES?

A Piper PA-34-200 experienced an uncommanded nose gear retraction during a takeoff maneuver, resulting in the aircraft sliding on its fuselage and sustaining propeller damage.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2021-09-08 involved a PIPER modelo PA-34-200T, registration EC-IHS, at Aeródromo de Requena (Valencia / València), ES.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The nose gear collapsed because the locking tensioner bolt failed, which prevented the articulated strut from remaining in the down position during the takeoff roll.

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