PA-28R Cherokee Arrow All Series
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 500; Flight Crew Type 35
Other / Unknown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors
Aircraft was on midfield left downwind for Runway 17C; setting up for landing configuration. Aircraft was at traffic pattern altitude (1;600 FT) and at an IAS of 105 KTS. Upon lowering the landing gear; the nose gear and right main did not lock. Pilot recycled the gear and got three green [lights]. Aircraft was below gear down speed of 130 KTS. Upon reaching abeam the numbers the first notch of flaps came in and aircraft slowed to 86 KTS and turned base while the second notch of flaps came in. Aircraft then turned final and put it full flaps and prop to forward and slowed to final approach speed of 78 KTS and landed soft with no hard landing on 17C. Aircraft then taxied to FBO and shut down. Upon exiting; the aircraft the pilot then noticed on the right wing above the landing gear a 5-1/2 inch tear on the top of the wing; along with several rivets missing. Pilot looked underneath aircraft and noticed sunlight coming through the wheelwell. Pilot decided aircraft was unairworthy and left plane at FBO. Mechanic came to the conclusion that the damage was due to several hard landings in previous flights.
A single pilot reports noticing a 5-1/2 inch tear on top of the right wing with several rivets missing above the right Main Landing Gear (MLG) on a PA-28R180 aircraft.