Improper Fiberglass Repair Led to Nose Gear Failure in Piper Seneca Belly Landing

Casualties unknown • Port Alfred Aerodrome on runway 10R, ZA

A Piper PA-34-200 sustained substantial damage during a wheels-up landing at Port Alfred Aerodrome after a structural fracture prevented the nose gear from extending.

What happened

On 16 March 2011, a Piper PA-34-200 was conducting a commercial test flight at Port Alfred Aerodrome with an instructor and a student on board. During the approach for landing, the aircraft's nose gear failed to extend. Following several unsuccessful attempts to deploy the gear, and after consulting with ground-based instructors and maintenance engineers, the crew decided to retract the main landing gear to perform a controlled belly landing to minimize potential damage.

As the aircraft crossed the threshold of runway 10R, the propellers were feathered. The resulting touchdown was described as smooth and gentle, with neither propeller making contact with the ground. While the occupants escaped without injury, the aircraft's lower surfaces sustained substantial damage upon coming to a halt.

Probable cause

The nose gear failed to extend because a fractured fiberglass spar in the wheel bay allowed the structure to deform under aerodynamic loads, physically blocking the undercarriage mechanism. This was caused by inadequate preparation during a previous repair.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2011-03-16 Piper PA-34-200 Seneca accident near Port Alfred Aerodrome on runway 10R, ZA?

A Piper PA-34-200 sustained substantial damage during a wheels-up landing at Port Alfred Aerodrome after a structural fracture prevented the nose gear from extending.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2011-03-16 involved a Piper PA-34-200 Seneca, registration ZS-SPZ, at Port Alfred Aerodrome on runway 10R, ZA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The nose gear failed to extend because a fractured fiberglass spar in the wheel bay allowed the structure to deform under aerodynamic loads, physically blocking the undercarriage mechanism. This was caused by inadequate preparation during a previous repair.

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