The National Transportation Safety Board yesterday issued an urgent safety recommendation to address a potentially catastrophic maintenance error that could cause main landing gear separation on most Bombardier Learjet models. This action covers all 20- and 30-series Learjets, as well as Learjet 55 and 60 models—effectively, all Learjets except the 40/45 and 70/75 variants. In all, the NTSB urged the FAA to require operators of about 1,883 Learjets in service in the U.S. to comply with Bombardier service bulletins covering landing gear attachment inspections.
A second recommendation called for the FAA to require Bombardier to revise maintenance procedures to include a post-maintenance visual check confirming that the aft landing gear trunnion pin and retaining bolt are correctly engaged. The NTSB warned that without such a verification step, a mechanic could install the retaining bolt without it passing through the trunnion pin, leaving the main gear unsecured to the airframe. The error “is not readily detectable during routine maintenance or preflight inspections,” the agency said.
More In Safety
