Warns Of Possible Issue With The Main Landing Gear Drag Link Bolt

The FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) following the collapse of the main landing gear on a Piper PA-23-250 airplane.

The FAA has found that there is a potential airworthiness concern regarding a failure of the main landing gear drag link bolt, which can cause the main gear to collapse. Fatigue cracking can develop at the midpoint of the bolt shank, which can result in bolt failure and subsequent main gear collapse.

This SAIB is a result of an incident on a Piper Model PA-23-250 airplane where the right main landing gear collapsed during landing. The investigation revealed that the right main landing gear drag link center attach bolt had sheared in the center of the bolt shank due to fatigue.

The FAA recommends that owners and operators of the affected airplanes incorporate Piper Service Bulletin No. 1299, dated January 6, 2017, which recommends periodic replacement of main landing gear drag link bolt and the inspection of the mating bushings.

The airworthiness concern is not an unsafe condition that would warrant AD action
under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Aviation Regulations (14CFR part 39), according to the FAA.

(Image from file)

FMI: SAIB