What happened
On 13 January 1998, a Piper PA-34-200-2, registration G-EXEC, was performing a positioning flight from Maastricht to its home base at Stapleford Tawney Airfield. During the final approach to Runway 22L, the pilot was notified by the tower of a wind speed of 12 knots from 160 degrees. As the aircraft entered the flare, the pilot encountered windshear, which caused the aircraft to touch down with a drift toward the right.
Upon contact with the runway, the pilot attempted to correct the drift using the rudder. However, the right propeller began striking the ground, indicating a structural failure. The pilot promptly shut down both engines as the aircraft drifted off the tarmac and onto the grass of Runway 22R. There were no injuries to the crew, and the aircraft was evacuated without fire.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage to determine why the landing gear failed during the landing sequence. The inspection revealed that the right main landing gear had sustained significant damage. Specifically, the steel lower link assembly of the sidestay had broken, and the 1/2 inch bolt connecting it to the gear leg had bent by approximately 35 degrees. Additionally, a lug on the aluminium upper sidestay had been torn away.
Findings
- The primary cause of the excursion was the structural failure of the right main landing gear sidestay assembly, which allowed the gear leg to fold.
- The pilot experienced windshear during the flare, contributing to the lateral drift during touchdown.
- The left landing gear assembly showed evidence of stress, though no actual failure occurred on that side.