History of Flight
The pilot, accompanied by a passenger, departed Port Elizabeth International Airport at approximately 1200Z on 14 March 2008 for a private flight to Aliwal North Aerodrome. The flight was uneventful. Upon arrival at approximately 1320Z, the pilot lowered the undercarriage and received three green down-and-locked indications. After landing on grass Runway 24 at an indicated airspeed of about 90 knots with 30 degrees of flap, the pilot taxied toward the hangar area. During taxi, the nose landing gear suddenly collapsed.
Injuries to Persons
Neither the pilot nor the passenger sustained any injuries.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft sustained minor damage to the lower nose section and the nose landing gear wheel. The nose landing gear actuator rod end was bent. Propeller blades were damaged due to contact with the ground.
Personnel Information
The pilot, a 49-year-old male, held a valid private pilot license with a type endorsement for the aircraft. He had a valid medical certificate with no restrictions. His total flying experience was 1,102.6 hours, with 344.9 hours on the accident aircraft type.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA34-200T Seneca II, serial number 34-3970187, manufactured in 1979. It was owned by DMT Bodyworks (PTY) Ltd. The total airframe hours at the time of the accident were 6,170.0. The last mandatory periodic inspection was certified on 12 October 2007 at 6,150.0 hours. The aircraft had flown 20.0 hours since that inspection. The certificate of airworthiness was valid until 19 April 2008. Both engines were Continental TSIO-360-5B models, and both propellers were McCauley 3AF34C-502.
Meteorological Information
Weather conditions at the time were reported by the pilot: wind from 300 degrees at 5 knots, temperature 20°C, visibility greater than 10 km, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet. The airport METAR indicated calm surface wind, 25°C, and CAVOK conditions.
Aerodrome Information
Aliwal North Aerodrome is located 1 nautical mile east-northeast of the city at coordinates S30°40'502" E026°43'543", elevation 4,410 feet. The aerodrome has two runways: 06/24 (1,494 m × 30 m) and 12/30 (1,012 m × 30 m). Runway 24, a grass surface, was used for the landing.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The aircraft landed on grass Runway 24. During taxi to the hangar area, the nose landing gear collapsed. Examination by an aircraft assessor revealed that the nose landing gear actuator rod end was slightly bent, either during landing or taxi on the uneven tuft of grass. No other abnormalities were found in the nose landing gear system.
Tests and Research
An aircraft assessor who inspected the aircraft after the accident stated that the nose landing gear became unlocked during landing on the grass-covered runway, classified as a rough strip, causing the nose landing gear to collapse backwards. The actuator rod end was slightly bent upon landing or during taxi on the uneven tuft of grass, leading to the unlocking. No other abnormalities were found.
Additional Information
An audit by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Airport Section on 1 December 2008 noted holes on the runway surface covered with sand by the municipality. The runway and taxiway surfaces were described as rough and not very suitable for landing.