What happened
On 27 June 1998, a Piper PA-34-200, registration G-TEST, was conducting a private flight returning to Stapleford Tawney Airfield in Essex. During the approach to Runway 22L, the pilot performed standard landing gear checks, confirming the gear was down and locked via cockpit indicators and a visual check using the engine cowling mirror.
The aircraft completed a standard landing on the available asphalt portion of the runway. After touchdown, the pilot taxied the aircraft to the left, exiting the runway onto a grass surface. The pilot brought the aircraft to a stop to perform after-landing checklists. As the aircraft continued to taxi at a slow speed for approximately 100 metres, the nosewheel suddenly collapsed. Upon engine shutdown, the pilot noted that the unsafe gear warning horn was sounding. The crew and three passengers evacuated the aircraft without injury, and airfield fire and rescue services responded to the scene.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's landing gear assembly to determine the cause of the structural failure. An engineering inspection conducted by a maintenance agency focused on the nose gear mechanism. The investigation established that the nose gear drag link had been previously bent, a condition that existed prior to the incident.
Findings
- The nosewheel collapse was caused by a bent drag link which had compromised the geometric locking of the gear.
- The pilot had correctly verified the gear position during the approach and landing phases.
- The damage to the drag link was present before the flight, though the exact timing of when the component became deformed could not be determined.