Incident
On 25 July 2001, a Piper PA-28R-200 (registration G-FULL) departed Runway 04L at Stapleford Aerodrome at 1500 UTC for a pleasure flight to Lydd-Ashford Airport. The take-off was normal. After selecting the landing gear up at 200 feet, the "gear in transit" light illuminated and remained on.
The pilot climbed to 2,000 feet to address the issue. Attempting to extend and retract the gear twice did not resolve the problem; only the nose and right main gear indicated down and locked. The pilot reported to Stapleford Radio and cycled the gear again without success. With the gear selected down, the pilot slowed to 87 kt and initiated the emergency gear extension procedure, but the left leg remained retracted.
Visual Inspection and Decision
Stapleford suggested a low pass along Runway 28 for visual inspection. Both the radio operator and a nearby helicopter pilot confirmed the left gear leg had not extended. One more gear cycle showed the nose and right legs retracting and extending correctly, while the left leg stayed retracted.
After circling for 20 minutes, Stapleford advised a wheels-up landing and suggested stopping the engine late on approach. The pilot executed a wheels-up landing onto grass Runway 22R at 1546 UTC. No injuries occurred, and the three occupants evacuated via the single door. Emergency services attended.
Post-Inspection Findings
An inspection by the aircraft's maintenance company revealed a failure of the bolt connecting the two arms of the torque link assembly on the left leg. This bolt appeared to have failed in shear during take-off but was not retained for examination. The failure allowed the left wheel to turn approximately 45°, causing partial retraction and jamming inside the wheel well, preventing extension.
Damage
The aircraft sustained shock-loaded engine, bent propeller, and damage to the underside of the fuselage.