Investigation number
198902545
Occurrence date
Location
Bankstown
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
None

After take-off the pilot had selected gear up. During climb, at about 1600 feet, he noticed that the red gear unsafe light was still illuminated, and by checking the nacelle mirror, that the nosegear was still extended. The wheel also appeared to be turned at an angle. The aircraft returned to Bankstown, where it was observed that the nosewheel was turned through about 80 degrees to the right. Use of full rudder travel and cycling of the landing gear failed to produce any change in the position of the nosegear, although the maingear retracted and extended normally. After seeking engineering advice, the pilot elected to land on grass and an area was prepared on the left of, and parallel to Runway 11 Left. He advised that he intended to shut down the engines on late final and position the propellers to preclude ground contact on landing. At about 200 feet on final approach he closed both mixtures, but had insufficient time to reposition the propellers. The aircraft dropped with a high sink rate and touched down 110 metres short of the intended landing area. On initial ground contact, the left main gear pushed up through the wing and broke off. The aircraft slewed to the left and the nose gear broke off during the 85 metre ground slide. It was found that the right hand nose wheel steering stop had been sheared, probably during ground handling operations. This resulted in detachment of the tiller roller from the steering channel and bending of the torque link pivot bolt. The torque link subsequently failed across the pivot bolt hole, allowing the nose leg to turn approximately 80 degrees.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Piper Aircraft Corp
Model
PA-34
Registration
VH-CJI
Serial number
34-7250099
Operation type
Private
Departure point
Bankstown NSW
Departure time
1855
Destination
Parafield SA
Damage
Substantial