Event ERA19LA125

Factual narrative

On March 8, 2019, about 1000 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-31-325, N45MJ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Leesburg, Florida. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a flight test under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, he delivered his airplane to a maintenance facility for an annual inspection. It was suggested by maintenance personnel that an inner landing gear door kit be installed (STC SA00555DE) during the annual inspection. After the door kit installation was completed, numerous test flights were conducted. During the landing gear extension, two green landing lights appeared as expected, but the third light (right main landing gear) was very slow to illuminate. Adjustments were made after each flight, and on the last flight while taxiing back to the ramp after landing the right landing gear collapsed. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed buckling of the right inboard wing. Post-accident extension and retraction test were performed using a hydraulic test unit. Both normal and emergency (hand pump) landing gear extension and retraction test were performed. During normal extension it was noted the landing gear locking time was approximately 25 seconds, which exceeded the manufacturer’s specified time limit; however, the hydraulic test fixture used did not have flow control, which could account for this anomaly. It was discovered when checking the actuator rigging that both left and right main landing gear actuators did not drive the main gears into a locked position. Slight hand pressure on the gear door (inboard force) would keep the main landing gear from locking as actuator piston travel was bottomed out. When the force was removed, the weight of the gear would lock the gear. The pilot reported that, while his airplane was undergoing an annual inspection, maintenance personnel suggested that an inner landing gear door kit be installed. After the door kit installation was completed, numerous test flights were conducted. Rigging adjustments were made after each flight, and while taxiing back to the ramp following the last flight, the right landing gear collapsed. A postaccident extension and retraction test were performed using a hydraulic test unit. Both normal and emergency (hand pump) landing gear extension and retraction tests were performed. When checking the actuator rigging, both left and right main landing gear actuators did not drive the main gear into a locked position. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the landing gear system were observed, thus it is likely that the rigging condition resulted in the collapse of the right main landing gear. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Gear extension and retract sys-Incorrect service/maintenance - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Maintenance-Repair-Maintenance personnel - C