Accident Details
On 18 August 2012 at 1400 hours, a Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee, registration G-BFEV, was performing aerial work as a glider tug at Kirton in Lindsey Airfield in Lincolnshire. The sole pilot, a 56-year-old private pilot with 450 hours of flying experience, was conducting his seventh landing of the day when he heard a "crack" sound just after touchdown. Suspecting a landing gear failure, he shut down the engine while taxiing. The aircraft came to a controlled stop with the right wing low but not touching the ground.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was manufactured in 1977 (serial number 25-7756060) and was powered by a single Lycoming O-540-B2C5 piston engine. The pilot held a Private Pilot’s Licence and had logged 13 hours in the last 90 days and 4 hours in the last 28 days.
Investigation Findings
Inspection by the repair agency revealed that the hydraulic damping unit, to which the undercarriage retaining bungees are attached, had sheared at its upper end, causing the landing gear to partially collapse on the right side. The structural damage was limited to the right landing gear. The repair agency noted that the bungees holding the landing gear in place prevented a total collapse of the gear, as well as damage to the wing and propeller. They commented that inspection of the strut is part of the aircraft's periodic 50-hour check. The repair agency suggested that pilots who regularly fly this aircraft inspect the top of the strut for signs of wear. The pilot assessed the cause of the failure to be "wear and tear."