PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Peruvian B733 accident, runway excursion, all gear collapsed, aircraft caught fire
Old 2nd Apr 2017, 01:30
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Machinbird
 
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From the video, there is a strong vibration immediately after the spoilers come up and the weight settles onto the gear followed by the starboard main gear collapsing and the aircraft departing the runway.
There appear to be issues with the torque links on the early 737 aircraft.
From a November 1998 B773 incident that seems to be representative of the issue:

NTSB short summary:

A loss of torque on the apex nut of the shimmy damper for undetermined reason(s), which resulted in a failure of the shimmy damper, and the subsequent failure of the lower torsion link of the right main landing gear.

NTSB synopsis:

The Boeing 737-300 touched down under the control of the first officer, and the pilots felt a vibration or shimmy. The captain reported that he took control of the airplane, and stopped it on the runway. Examination disclosed that the lower torsion link on the right main landing gear had failed, and the wheels had rotated 45 degrees outboard. Metallurgical examination of the failed torsion link revealed it had failed in overstress. According to a Boeing 737 Service Letter, this had happened before and was traced to excessive play at the torsion link apex joint, which rendered the shimmy dampers ineffective. The shaft on the shimmy damper was bent about 20 degrees rearward, and the apex nut which held the upper and lower torsion links together was loose on the shaft. The damage precluded a check of the apex nut for proper torque.
Not saying that this was a cause of the Peruvian accident, but it seems to fit the pattern. Perhaps some of the engineers (both types) would like to weigh in on the subject?
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