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One of Sierra Academys Cessna 172RGs had a gear up landing at Oakland
International last night. They must have tried everything, but they couldnt get one of the mains to come more than half way down. The guys did a pretty good job landing it nevertheless. Damage appears to be slight, but the prop was dinged so theyll have to inspect the engine. Hardly even any scrapes on the belly. I looked at the plane while it was up on jacks at Sierras maintenance hangar. I wouldnt expect the plane to be out of service for long. They still dont know exactly what the problem was, but the landing gear pivot assemblies on these planes are the subject of a proposed AD. If that is what it is, this would be the second 172RG that Ive seen this year that has had a gear up landing because of a cracked pivot assembly (the first one ground looped, tearing up the wingtip and tail as well as badly damaging the belly and snapping the crankshaft -- it belonged to another flight school). Bill Leahy at Leahy Aviation in Hayward says he has seen others. I had the gear inspected on my plane when the annual was done in April. There were no cracks, but it is something to keep an eye on. Although 182RGs are not mentioned in the proposed AD, I understand they have the same problem. |
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