Accident Details
On 3 January 2003, at approximately 0645Z, a Piper PA-30 twin-engine aircraft registered ZS-DVD experienced a left main landing gear collapse while backtracking on Runway 11/29 at Bethlehem aerodrome in South Africa. The aircraft had just completed a normal landing on Runway 11 after a flight from Ficksburg (FAFB), where it had departed at 0615Z for a sightseeing flight in the Drakensberg region with a refueling stop at Bethlehem. The pilot, a commercial pilot with 629.5 total flight hours and 119.7 hours on type, was accompanied by three passengers.
After landing, the pilot used approximately two-thirds of the runway before executing a right-hand turn to backtrack toward the fuel pumps. The 180-degree turn was completed, and the aircraft had traveled about 10 meters when the left main landing gear side brace stud failed, causing the left gear to collapse. The aircraft was moving very slowly at the time. The collapse resulted in minimal damage to the left wing tip and left propeller. No injuries were reported among the four occupants.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft, a Piper PA-30, had accumulated 4,759.0 airframe hours at the time of its last mandatory periodic inspection (MPI), which was certified on 19 February 2002. Since that inspection, the aircraft had flown an additional 95 hours. The accident occurred under visual meteorological conditions (CAVOK) with wind from 270 degrees at 5 knots and a temperature of 18°C.
Probable Cause
According to metallurgical analysis, the failed undercarriage stud did not conform to the manufacturer’s material specifications and was identified as a bogus part. This resulted in premature failure of the stud under the influence of reversed bending stresses.