Probable cause
A hard landing, which resulted in the failure of the right main landing gear outer bearing and collapse of the landing gear.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that the baggage door opened shortly after takeoff, so he decided to return for a landing. The landing gear circuit breaker tripped when he attempted to extend the landing gear on downwind. After resetting the circuit breaker, the landing gear extended normally, and the gear down light illuminated. Upon landing, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
An examination of the landing gear determined the outer bearing brace failed which allowed the landing gear strut to separate from the trunnion. Examination of the fracture surface revealed that the bearing failed as a result of overload. The overload failure of the landing gear bearing was consistent with a hard landing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN22LA184 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 27, 2022
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Terre Haute, Indiana
- Nearest airport
- Terre Haute Regional Airport (HUF)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-24-260
- N-number
- N73T
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1971
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.