Piper PA-34 Seneca II — Service Bulletins

This document is an AAIB (Air Accidents Investigation Branch) bulletin detailing an incident involving the Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II aircraft, specifically registration G-ROLA. The bulletin outlines the circumstances surrounding a nose gear collapse during taxiing, the subsequent investigation, and the maintenance history of the aircraft. It highlights the importance of proper rigging of the nose gear downlock spring link, which was identified as a probable cause of the incident. The document serves as a critical reference for maintenance personnel and operators of the Piper PA-34 series, emphasizing safety recommendations to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

• The incident occurred on May 8, 2003, during taxiing at a groundspeed of 5 to 7 knots.
• The nose gear collapse was attributed to a mis-rigged downlock spring link.
• The aircraft had a previous accident in December 2001, leading to significant repairs.
• Proper rigging of the nose gear is critical to prevent collapse during operation.
• Safety recommendations include improving maintenance manual instructions for the nose gear rigging.