Accident Overview
On 1 May 2021 at 1148Z, a Piper Seneca II (PA34) with registration ZS‑PBV was conducting circuit training at Port Alfred Aerodrome (FAPA), Eastern Cape Province, under Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Regulations. The aircraft was crewed by an instructor and a student pilot. The flight was performed in visual meteorological conditions during daylight. After five uneventful circuits on Runway 28L (RWY 28L), the green indicator light for the left main landing gear did not illuminate while on the base leg. The instructor initiated a go‑around and requested the tower to visually inspect the landing gear. The tower confirmed that the left main gear was not in the normal down position. The instructor then declared an emergency landing on Runway 25 (RWY 25). As a precaution, the left engine was shut down and feathered on short final.
During the landing roll, the left main gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to veer left off the runway and come to rest on the left side of RWY 25. Neither the instructor nor the student pilot was injured. The damage was limited to the left‑side main gear flap.
Post‑Accident Findings
Following the accident, the aircraft maintenance organisation (AMO) inspected the left main landing gear. A foreign object debris (FOD) was discovered: a CherryMAX rivet lodged in the grease between two machined faces of the truss and link assembly. This obstruction prevented the gear down lock from engaging. The rivet likely dislodged from the nacelle and entered the left main gear. The dislodged rivet was replaced, and the landing gear was tested for serviceability according to the Piper Maintenance Manual 753‑817 (revision dated 30 November 2019).
Safety Actions
The FOD was removed, the rivet replaced, and the landing gear successfully tested for proper operation.
Safety Recommendations
Maintenance organisations are encouraged to ensure proper housekeeping before and after maintenance to reduce the risk of similar occurrences.