AAIB investigation to Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II, G-CLUE

Gear collapse on landing, Durham Tees Valley Airport, 28 July 2013.

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 10 December 2014

• Category: General aviation - fixed wing
• Report type: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
• Date of occurrence: 28 July 2013
• Aircraft type: Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II
• Location: Durham Tees Valley Airport
• Registration: G-CLUE

Summary:

The aircraft was intending to land at a private airstrip but the pilot was unable to obtain a green down-and-locked cockpit indication for the left Main Landing Gear (MLG). He returned to Durham Tees Valley Airport where, despite several attempts, he was still unable to receive confirmation that the gear was locked down. The emergency extension system was used but, during the subsequent landing roll, the left MLG collapsed.

It was found that a combination of factors, including corrosion and a lack of lubrication had led to stiffness in the downlock mechanism such that it would not lock the gear down fully after free-falling under gravity following emergency extension. The electric pump which supplies hydraulic power under normal gear extension/retraction had burnt out.

Download report:

Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II G-CLUE 09-14.pdf (269.71 kb)

Published 10 December 2014