Landing gear collapse — Piper PA-34 Seneca, Bankstown

Summary

On landing rollout at Bankstown Airport, the right main landing gear of a Piper PA-34 Seneca V collapsed, causing the aircraft to veer off the paved runway surface and come to rest in the grass. The flight instructor and student were uninjured. Substantial damage to the right engine nacelle and wing.

Investigation Findings (4)

1. 01Inspection revealed the right main gear side brace fitting had fractured at a pre-existing fatigue crack.
2. 02The crack was not detectable under the scheduled inspection regime; it originated at a surface stress concentration below the grease nipple.
3. 03Piper Aircraft issued a service bulletin recommending enhanced dye-penetrant inspection at the affected location.
4. 04CASA initiated an Airworthiness Directive based on the Piper SB within 30 days of the incident.