What happened
On July 6, 2019, a private Piper PA-32, registration LV-MCT, was conducting a general aviation recreational flight from San Fernando International Airport to Isla Martín García Aerodrome in Buenos Aires. During the landing phase on runway 35, the aircraft's nose gear collapsed upon contact with the runway. The impact caused the propeller to strike the runway surface, leading to a sudden engine stoppage and forcing the aircraft to come to a halt off the runway. The incident resulted in significant damage to the aircraft, though there were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's landing gear controls and found that the gear lever was in the down and locked position, with no emergency extension engaged. Video footage captured by a passenger revealed that a landing gear warning alarm was audible just before touchdown and continued after the aircraft hit the runway, indicating the gear was not properly locked.
Physical inspection of the nose gear locking mechanism revealed a damaged clip assembly. The investigation determined that the screw and bushing used in the assembly did not match the manufacturer's specifications. Specifically, the bushing's outer diameter was too large, and the screw head prevented the bushing from seating correctly within the clip assembly, creating improper clearance.