Event Description
On 8 June 2000 at 1234 hours, a Piper PA-28RT-201T, registration G-BOWY, completed a normal landing on Runway 19 at Redhill Aerodrome in Surrey. As the aircraft turned left off the runway, the pilot felt an unexpected deceleration. He brought the aircraft to a stop and informed the Tower controller that he was shutting down the engine to inspect the landing gear for a potential problem.
Upon examination, the pilot discovered that the right main wheel had skewed approximately 70 degrees from its normal alignment. The skew was attributed to the absence of the torque link bolt that normally secures the wheel assembly. The airfield fire service arrived and assisted in pushing the aircraft a safe distance away from the runway. A subsequent search of the runway did not recover the missing bolt.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a 1981 Piper PA-28RT-201T Arrow IV, powered by a single Continental TSIO-360-FB piston engine. The flight was conducted under the Private category with only the pilot on board. The pilot, aged 41, held a Private Pilot's Licence and had accumulated 97 flying hours, of which 9 were on type. In the preceding 90 days, he had flown 4 hours, and in the last 28 days, 2 hours.
Findings
During the pre-flight inspection, the pilot reported that the right torque link bolt and its associated nut were present. No other anomalies were noted before departure. The missing torque link bolt was not found on the runway after the incident. The aircraft sustained damage limited to the right main wheel being skewed 70 degrees; no injuries were reported.