Piper PA-31-350 N530JB

Summary

On 22 June 1995 at about 16:12 local time, a Piper PA-31-350 registered N530JB was involved in an accident near Opa-Locka, Florida, United States. 7 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 June 1995 at 16:12

Classification

Accident

Location

Opa-Locka, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Opa-Locka (OPF)

Coordinates

25.9096, -80.2701

Aircraft

Piper PA-31-350

Registration

N530JB

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Great Harbour → Miami

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA95LA153

Nobody was injured.

THE FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO COMPLY WITH MANUFACTURER INSPECTION PROCEDURES FOR HYDRAULIC LINES RESULTING IN THE FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR DOOR LINE AND LOSS OF ALL HYDRAULIC FLUID.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR BY THE NORMAL AND EMERGENCY EXTENSION SYSTEMS. A GEAR UP LANDING WAS MADE. AFTER THE LANDING THE HYDRAULIC RESERVOIR WAS FILLED AND THE EMERGENCY EXTENSION SYSTEM WAS USED TO EXTEND THE GEAR. THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR DOOR LINE WAS FOUND TO BE RUPTURED CAUSING LOSS OF ALL HYDRAULIC FLUID. THE FAILED DOOR LINE HAD A MANUFACTURE DATE OF 1979. THE AIRCRAFT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 1979. PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES REQUIRE THE LINE TO BE PRESSURE TESTED AFTER 10 YEARS IN SERVICE AND EVERY 5 YEARS THERE AFTER. THE LOGBOOK RECORDS SHOWED NO RECORD THAT THE FAILED LINE HAD BEEN PRESSURE TESTED IN 1994.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.