Champion 7ECA N73PC

Summary

On 17 June 2010 at about 15:35 local time, a Champion 7ECA registered N73PC, operated by N117VR LLC, was involved in an accident near Thomasville, Georgia, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 June 2010 at 15:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Thomasville, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Thomasville Regional Airport (TVI)

Coordinates

30.9017, -83.8811

Aircraft

Champion 7ECA

Registration

N73PC

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

N117VR LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Merritt Island → Thomasville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA10LA351

Nobody was injured.

The improper reinstallation of the airplane’s oleo piston assembly during an annual inspection, resulting in the collapse of the right main landing gear during touchdown.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that as the airplane touched down on the runway he heard a "pop" or a "snap" sound. The airplane collided with the runway on its right side and slid down the surface until coming to rest. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that a bolt on the right main landing gear was absent. The bolt, which holds the oleo, or shock absorber, unit in the housing, was incorrectly installed above and through the oleo assembly. This resulted in the bolt coming out of the housing, which in turn led to the cylinder and spring overextending out of its respective housing. There was no evidence of fatigue, stress, or corrosion on the failed component. A review of the airframe logbook indicated that the last annual inspection was conducted about 45 days and 3.8 flight hours prior to the accident. The airplane's parts manual stated that after performing maintenance of the oleo the mechanics should be certain that the bolt passes through the retainer at the top end of the oleo. The manual further warned that if this is not done, the oleo will fall out when the airplane takes off.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.