Accident Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F VH-DCQ, Tuesday 19 June 1990

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Date:	Tuesday 19 June 1990
Time:	09:30
Type:	Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F
Owner/operator:
Registration:	VH-DCQ
MSN:	27-7954012
Year of manufacture:	1979
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Port Hurd, Bathurst Island, NT - Australia
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Passenger - Non-Scheduled/charter/Air Taxi
Departure airport:	Pickertaramoor, NT
Destination airport:	Port Hurd, NT
Investigating agency:	BASI
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
During touchdown at Port Hurd, the pilot reported feeling the aircraft lurch which he believed to be the result of a flat tyre on the left main gear. Soon after, the left wing dropped further and the gear warning signal activated. The pilot was able to maintain directional control within the strip and after coming to a halt, he shut down the engine before disembarking. A post flight inspection by the pilot revealed that the left main gear oleo leg had swung rearwards, resulting in damage to the left propeller blades and the lower surface of the flaps. A detailed inspection of the maingear components showed that the left maingear drag link centre bolt had failed due to fatigue.

Accident investigation: