Mitsubishi MU-2B-25 N344KL

Summary

On 28 September 2011 at about 21:15 local time, a Mitsubishi MU-2B-25 registered N344KL, operated by Laurel Mountain Aviation LLC, was involved in an accident near Atlanta, Georgia, United States. 3 people were 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

28 September 2011 at 21:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Cobb County Airport Mc Collum (RYY)

Coordinates

33.0139, -84.6122

Aircraft

Mitsubishi MU-2B-25

Registration

N344KL

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Laurel Mountain Aviation LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Executive/Corporate

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hunstville → Atlanta

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA11LA507

Nobody was injured.

The improper installation of the nose landing gear strut and subsequent collapse of the nose landing gear during landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that after landing, the nose landing gear collapsed. Examination of the airplane nose strut down-lock installation revealed that the strut on the right side of the nose landing gear trunnion was installed incorrectly; the strut installed on the right was a left-sided strut. Incorrect installation of the strut could result in the bearing pulling loose from the pin on the right side of the trunnion, which could allow the nose landing gear to collapse. A review of maintenance records revealed recent maintenance activity on the nose gear involving the strut. The design of the strut is common for the left and right. Both struts have the same base part number, and a distinguishing numerical suffix is added for left side and right side strut determination. If correctly installed, the numbers should be oriented facing outboard. The original MU-2 Maintenance Manual did not address the installation or correct orientation of the strut. The manufacturer issued MU-2 Service Bulletin (SB) No. 200B, dated June 24, 1994, to address the orientation and adjustment. Service Bulletin 200B states on page 8 of 10 that the “Part Number may be visible in this (the) area from the out board sides (Inked P/N may be faded out).”

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.