Kennesaw-Cobb County (McCollum)

The twin engine airplane departed Miami-Executive Airport (Kendall Tamiami) at 0628LT on a flight to Kennesaw-Cobb County-McCollum Airport, Georgia. Approaching Atlanta control area, the pilot declared an emergency and requested a clearance to land at the nearest airport. Vectored to Atlanta-DeKalb-Peachtree, the pilot modified his route and completed a left hand circuit. On final approach to runway 21L, the airplane went out of control and crashed at Homeland Drive, in a residential area located in Doraville, about 5 km north northeast of the airport. Both occupants were injured and the airplane was destroyed.

The pilot stated that after landing, the nose landing gear collapsed. Examination of the airplane nose strut down-lock installation revealed that the strut on the right side of the nose landing gear trunnion was installed incorrectly; the strut installed on the right was a left-sided strut. Incorrect installation of the strut could result in the bearing pulling loose from the pin on the right side of the trunnion, which could allow the nose landing gear to collapse. A review of maintenance records revealed recent maintenance activity on the nose gear involving the strut. The design of the strut is common for the left and right. Both struts have the same base part number, and a distinguishing numerical suffix is added for left side and right side strut determination. If correctly installed, the numbers should be oriented facing outboard. The original MU-2 Maintenance Manual did not address the installation or correct orientation of the strut. The manufacturer issued MU-2 Service Bulletin (SB) No. 200B, dated June 24, 1994, to address the orientation and adjustment. Service Bulletin 200B states on page 8 of 10 that the “Part Number may be visible in this (the) area from the out board sides (Inked P/N may be faded out).”

Few minutes after takeoff from Kennesaw-McCollum Airport, the pilot encountered technical problems and elected to return. On final approach, he decided to initiate a go-around when the airplane stalled, crashed and burst into flames. The pilot was seriously injured.