AAIB investigation to Cessna 310Q, N25XL
Right main gear collapsed on landing, Belfast International Airport, 17 January 2021.
Summary:
The pilot intended to fly some circuits to maintain recency and to conduct engine health checks. On the first landing the aircraft suddenly veered to the right and came to rest on the grass beside the runway. The pilot was uninjured and reported the landing was normal, and during approach the three green lights, indicating the landing gear was down and locked, were illuminated.
The AAIB did not attend, but the aircraft was later examined by a licenced engineer. It was identified that the right landing gear torque tube had failed in torsion. This torque tube should not have been carrying any load once the gear was locked down. Further examination revealed the landing gear had visible corrosion and an apparent lack of adequate lubrication of the pivot joints. An Annual / 100-hour inspection had been completed on 30 September 2020, 3½ months earlier, which included an inspection of the landing gear.
The AAIB has previously reported on other similar events to this type of aircraft where lack of lubrication and/or freedom of movement of the landing gear mechanism pivot joints was a factor.
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