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Doh!

Posted: Tue May 21, 2019 6:59 pm
by Rich
Just saw this on the FAA accident/incident site for a DA20:

AIRCRAFT LANDED RUNWAY 30R WITH NOSE WHEEL MISSING.

Re: Doh!

Posted: Wed May 22, 2019 1:52 am
by krellis
This happened to Princess Amelia (DA20-A1) prior to when we bought her. Fracture of the welded stud that held on the nose gear assembly. It departed the aircraft on take off and the pilot was unaware until landing.

Thanks to the composite prop and the overload clutch of the Rotax 912, there was no damage to the engine. Obviously, the prop was repaired and the nose strut replaced. The gearbox was overhauled as well.

We bought her after this incident and flew her for almost 10 years. She is now back at Amelia Island at the local high school training the next generation of pilots.

Re: Doh!

Posted: Tue May 28, 2019 4:52 pm
by Spinner
Diamond has a service letter regarding the older nose gear struts which asks owners to NDT the strut at the lower welds as per a temporary revision to the maintenance manual.

We had the stud holding the nut holding the nose wheel assembly break off. The student went for a flight and came back. When he pushed the tail down to back the aircraft into a parking spot, the nose wheel fell off. Tower found some of the hardware on the runway but not all.
I have attached the SIL and temporary revision for any one to look at.

I see also they have a service letter regarding the steps on the DA20 breaking off. Speaking from experience it is not a fun thing to happen

Paul

Re: Doh!

Posted: Tue May 28, 2019 5:27 pm
by Rich
There's a similar repetitive inspection (or replacement) of the DA40 nose gear strut required by AD for older year DA40s.

Re: Doh!

Posted: Tue May 28, 2019 7:58 pm
by Steve
Rich wrote: Tue May 28, 2019 5:27 pm There's a similar repetitive inspection (or replacement) of the DA40 nose gear strut required by AD for older year DA40s.
True. We have done it 3-4 times. It is relatively easy, a dye penetrant examination. It can make a mess, though. If I recall correctly, there was a single failure in a DA 40 that operated frequently from rough fields that incited the requirement.