1996 Saratoga: Nose Gear Retract Cylinder Attach Point Failure

TEN HI FLYERS INC

Airframe Time: 1430 hours. Gear Unsafe light came on, stayed on in flight. Always out with gear down, three green. Problem found: Damage at retract cylinder attach point, right rear lower corner of the nose gear wheel well. Three rivets missing, sheet metal damage. Appears to be related to EXCESSIVE force applied during retract cycles, or while retracted. No stress noted at main gear cylinders. Unsafe light on because cylinder could move forward when retracting nose gear, preventing contact at the up/safe microswitch lever. Damaged area unseen during several hangar retract cycles. (Nose gear was fully retracted). Finally saw the cylinder movement on the "last" cycle. Physically actuating the associated microswitch turned out the unsafe light. Has anyone else experienced this? We can repair and reinforce, but can anyone explain what would cause a damaging heavy load at the cylinder attach point? Any repair suggestions, in case we are missing something? Contact: Fred. fred.gard@comcast.net

Scott Sherer

Hi and thanks for writing. Standby while I forward your question to our A&P, Erich Rempert.