Hi guys, need some advice and feedback on your experiences with this one.
 
I had some trouble getting nose gear to freefall following installation of new actuator 3 months ago. I returned aircraft to mechanics and was told that actuator was "too tight" and also needed lubing.

Apparently after installing the actuator, the nose gear got caught during retracts and bent a rod. The details of this incident were a bit vague but I didn't give it much thought at the time as I was assured that the damage was minimal and would be repaired free of charge. At the time I didn't think any more of the incident or relate the hesitancy of the nose gear to free fall during emergence gear extension.

The other day I returned the aircraft to have the TK5's installed and also mentioned the persistent hesitancy of the nose gear to extend during emergency gear extension. Imagine my surprise when I was informed that the nose gear appeared to be binding on the right hand side of the wheel well. Further examination indicated it must be slightly bent at the top mount . Apparently 1-2 mm of misalignment at the top would amplify to several millimeters at the wheel end of the strut.

Would it seem more likely that this was produced by the incident in the hangar then be a botched landing? Surely considerably force would be required during landing to cause bending of the upper mount and not produce any damage to the wheel or oleo? Woudln't such a hard landing  be a bone crunching experience for the pilot? Although my landings are not always glassy smooth I do not recall any that would have produced sufficient force for bending of the nose gear mount.
 
Has anyone else experienced this from a hard landing and what solution would you guys suggest to straighten the gear? Is it more likely that snagging of the nose gear during retracts would have caused this misalignment?

The mechanics have discussed removing the engine and placing the structure in a jig to correct the misalignment. Alternatively, they are talking about applying an even force along the length of the struct whilst it remains in situ, thus effectively using brute force to return it to a central position. The latter would hopefully be the "quick and easy" solution.

Would be great to get some thought on this one as I'm going to discuss with mechanic tomorrow...



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Gerard O Connell
Melbourne, Australia
VH-LPD (LNC2)



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