The pilot reported that while on approach to the airport in New Orleans, he extended the Piper PA-30’s landing gear, and the three green landing gear indication lights illuminated. However, he noted that the gear took longer to extend than expected.
There was a minimal crosswind, the wind was not gusting, and he lowered the right wing into the crosswind. Upon touchdown, the right wing dropped and contacted the runway, the nose gear collapsed, and the gear warning horn sounded.
The airplane continued off the right side of the runway and came to rest upright in the grass, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing spar.
Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the left torque arm for the right gear and nose gear was broken. The nose gear push pull rod and rod end for the right gear push pull cable was detached from the left torque arm. The right torque arm for the left gear was intact. The rod end for the left gear push pull cable was still attached and functional.
Probable Cause: The failure of a landing gear torque arm, which resulted in a landing gear collapse and runway excursion.
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This October 2024 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
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