Incident Overview
Description
During an asymmetric power landing, the left main gear leg piston oleo cylinder fractured, releasing both wheels as a unit. The pilot managed to bring the aircraft to a halt before it ran off the left side of the runway. The fracture had initiated within the lower limit of the travel plating from stress corrosion cracking of the high strength steel substrate. The cracking in the chrome plating resulted from poor plating and excessive grinding during manufacture or refurbishment. The manufacturer had issued Electra service info letter 88/SIL-88A to all operators in October 1974 to address stripping and plating procedures. The failed piston cylinder had accumulated 15 400 h since its last overhaul, and would have been replaced at its 16 000 h overhaul life.
Primary Cause
Stress corrosion cracking of the high-strength steel substrate due to poor plating and excessive grinding during manufacture or refurbishment.Stress corrosion cracking of the high-strength steel substrate due to poor plating and excessive grinding during manufacture or refurbishment.Share on:
