Primary finding
Probable cause
A hard landing, which resulted in the failure of the right main landing gear outer bearing and collapse of the landing gear.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that the baggage door opened shortly after takeoff, so he decided to return for a landing. The landing gear circuit breaker tripped when he attempted to extend the landing gear on downwind. After resetting the circuit breaker, the landing gear extended normally, and the gear down light illuminated. Upon landing, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. An examination of the landing gear determined the outer bearing brace failed which allowed the landing gear strut to separate from the trunnion. Examination of the fracture surface revealed that the bearing failed as a result of overload. The overload failure of the landing gear bearing was consistent with a hard landing.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 27, 2022, about 1325 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-24-260 airplane, N73T, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Terre Haute, Indiana. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that shortly after departure the baggage door opened. He decided to return to land. On downwind, the landing gear in transit light remained illuminated and the circuit breaker tripped, after he selected the landing gear lever to the down position. The pilot reset the circuit breaker, recycled the landing gear, and the landing gear down light illuminated. Upon landing, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. An on-scene examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector determined that the spherical bearing common to the right main landing gear forward trunnion fitting had failed. The outer bearing race failed and allowed the landing gear strut to separate from the trunnion. Examination of the fracture surface revealed signatures consistent with overstress. No evidence of corrosion or fatigue was observed.