It has happened to me, in a 320, though. I don't think it was neglect in this case. It was being maintained by a reputable mechanic, was less that 20 hours out of annual and the part that failed was a rod. When the FAA came to investigate they didn't try to blame the mechanic or me. They just said, "We see this a lot."I have heard alot about 310 gear problems esp. nose gear, what seems to be the case?
I have heard alot about 310 gear problems esp. nose gear, what seems to be the case?
Except the part that broke on ours was not the little spindly gear but the push-pull tube that pushes the spindly gear forward.Also, just look at the spindly little nose gear on a 310 sometime. Just sitting there, it looks like it should break any second:
Except the part that broke on ours was not the little spindly gear but the push-pull tube that pushes the spindly gear forward.
Check this out, especially the part under "Don't believe everything your A&P says": http://www.avweb.com/news/savvyaviator/187401-1.html
Also, just look at the spindly little nose gear on a 310 sometime. Just sitting there, it looks like it should break any second:
And sometimes... You get this.
Now, go find a DA42 and compare - The DA42's gear looks like it came from a bizjet:
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But that DA42 pic is of its main gear, not the nose. Big difference in loading.
This was taken the day after. I don't have any pictures of it on its nose because it happened at night and this was 20 years ago, before cellphone cameras. All they did to extend the nosegear was to raise the nose and pull it forward by hand. You can see where they braced it with a piece of wood as a precaution but it actually locked in place.pics of damage?
i wonder how much weight diamond wasted so they could gloat about having Vne landing gear
This was taken the day after. I don't have any pictures of it on its nose because it happened at night and this was 20 years ago, before cellphone cameras. All they did to extend the nosegear was to raise the nose and pull it forward by hand. You can see where they braced it with a piece of wood as a precaution but it actually locked in place.
I have heard alot about 310 gear problems esp. nose gear, what seems to be the case?
The sweptback look is in! One thing I remember them telling me is that they actually straightened out all except a couple of the blades and reinstalled them. I never would've guessed...Wow, 20 years ago and you already had Q-tip props on, that's pretty cool!
Obviously the 310 just requires the pilot to plan his decent and approach. I suppose the Diamond is geared mainly as a trainer with students coming out of 152's and 172's into them so being able to continue waiting until the airport is in sight and then chop and drop is nice for them.
So, the part that's even MORE spindly.
To be fair to the 310, I don't know of any accidents where that spindly little gear actually broke... But it sure likes to look like it's about to!
Yes, but the nose gear is stout like that too... I just couldn't find a good picture of it.
Either way, that main gear doesn't look like it's off a small twin like that...
.... also making sure I slow down in a straight line before executing any turns. I see some people really get heavy side G loads when taxiing, and that's not something I think is a good idea for the gear. At the very least, passengers typically don't like it.
Preflighting the landing gear is obviously a good move but you can't see the part that broke. As R&W said, it's below the floor, underneath where your feet are. The good news is the airplane was repaired and I flew it another 2,000 or so hours before I left that job. I still see it around KAPA and AFAIK it's never had another gear-up landing.The part that Mari had fail on her is the standard weak link. I hope that never goes bad on me, and make a point of preflighting the landing gear.
I hear that they sometimes growl, whine, or even bark.
Preflighting the landing gear is obviously a good move but you can't see the part that broke. As R&W said, it's below the floor, underneath where your feet are. The good news is the airplane was repaired and I flew it another 2,000 or so hours before I left that job. I still see it around KAPA and AFAIK it's never had another gear-up landing.