Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II, G-BNEN, 22 February 2003

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

• Category: General aviation - fixed wing
• Report type: Bulletin - Field investigation
• Date of occurrence: 22 February 2003
• Aircraft type: Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II
• Location: White Waltham Airfield, Berkshire
• Registration: G-BNEN

Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II, G-BNEN

Summary:

During takeoff, the nose landing gear collapsed and the pilot was unable to prevent the propellers and nose of the aircraft from striking the runway. Investigation showed that the upper eye end of the Sprung downlock link had failed and that there was considerable wear in the upper and centre pivots of the drag brace. The geometric downlock mechanism had recently been adjusted to correct an inability of the nose landing gear to free fall. There was no procedure available in the aircraft maintenance manual for correcting an inability to lower the landing gear by free fall. Two new safety recommendations are made and reference is made to three earlier recommendations.

Download report:

G-BNEN-11-05.pdf (379.75 kb)

Published 10 December 2014