What happened
On 18 August 2012, a Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee, registration G-BFEV, was performing aerial work as a glider tug at Kirton in Lindsey Airfield. During the seventh landing of the day, the pilot heard a cracking noise immediately following touchdown. Suspecting a mechanical failure in the undercarriage, the pilot ceased taxiing and shut down the engine. The aircraft came to a controlled stop with the right wing held low, though it did not make contact with the ground.
The investigation
Following the incident, the aircraft was inspected by a repair agency. The investigation focused on the right-hand landing gear, which had sustained structural damage. Examination of the components revealed that the upper end of the hydraulic damping unit had sheared. This failure occurred at the point where the undercarriage retaining bungees are attached. While the bungees remained in place and prevented a total collapse of the gear, the failure resulted in damage to the propeller and the wing.
Findings
- The pilot's decision to shut down the engine prevented further movement after hearing the noise.
- The primary cause of the gear failure was identified as wear and tear on the hydraulic damping unit.
- The integrity of the landing gear was maintained by the undercarriage retaining bungees, which prevented the gear from collapsing completely.