AAIB investigation to Piper PA-44-180, G-BGCO

Nose landing gear collapsed during landing, Blackpool Airport, Lancashire, 12 February 2021.

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 12 August 2021

• Category: General aviation - fixed wing
• Report type: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
• Date of occurrence: 12 February 2021
• Aircraft type: Piper PA-44-180
• Location: 12 February 2021 Blackpool Airport, Lancashire
• Registration: G-BGCO

Summary:

During an approach to Warton Airfield the landing gear was selected down but the nose landing gear did not lock down. Despite use of the emergency lowering system and repeated efforts to lower the landing gear, the situation could not be resolved. The aircraft diverted to Blackpool Airport where engineering support for the aircraft was available. The nose landing gear collapsed on touchdown.

It is likely that distortion or failure of a ‘pivot bolt’ in the nose landing gear was sufficient to prevent the nose landing gear locking down.

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Piper PA-44-180, G-BGCO

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Glossary of abbreviations

Published 12 August 2021