Probable cause
The failure of the nose gear drag link bolt due to reversed bending fatigue.
NTSB analysis
During touchdown following a practice ILS approach, the nose gear collapsed, resulting in structural damage to the airplane. Examination of the nose gear assembly revealed that the nose gear drag link bolt failed. The bolt was installed on the airplane approximately 441 flight hours prior to the accident, and Piper Service Bulletin (SB) 1156 requires operators to replace the bolt at 500-hour intervals due to a history of fatigue failures. Examination of the failed bolt revealed that it met design specifications for hardness, surface roughness, and microstructure. Further examination indicated that the bolt failed from reversed bending fatigue. The failure mode was atypical of the failure mode that prompted issuance of the SB.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09LA050 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 1, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lawrenceville, Georgia
- Nearest airport
- Gwinnett County Airport (KLZU)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-44-180
- N-number
- N2214N
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.