Cessna 340/340A
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 17; Flight Crew Total 1636; Flight Crew Type 440
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
1000 to 1500 ft after touchdown; the left wheel locked up and the aircraft made a sharp 180-degree left turn on the runway. I reported what felt like a tire blow out to the tower; who called for assistance. Upon inspection the LEFT scissor link bolt had failed causing the wheel to caster sideways.The winds on the ground were reported 270/6; and I recall on short final at about 500 ft the winds were 20+ kts so there was some degree of wind shear. Also in windy conditions it is common to get what local pilots refer to as the hangar effect as wind blowing in north of the runway centerline interact with the hangars to the north and cause additional turbulence at the touchdown point. As I flared the aircraft ballooned up instead of settling. I continued and flared a second time the aircraft ballooned again. At this point the airspeed had slowed to the point flight was no longer possible and the aircraft settled firmly on the runway. The aircraft did not skid or exhibit any undue side load following touchdown. I have had harder landings in the past; and both tires and both struts remained inflated; so in my opinion the landing was not hard; but slightly more firm than a well-timed flare/stall touchdown.I do not believe the firm landing caused the bolt failure; but the firmness of the landing may have been the catalyst for the failed part to finally give way. Upon inspection the bolt showed no sign of sudden stress; but more of an extended wear pattern; which allowed the nut to separate. My takeaway is that flying a 35+ year-old airplane requires partnership with a mechanic and extra consideration to be taken looking at critical parts that may not have been changed since the aircraft was new. I believe shared experience with other operators is also useful.
The pilot of a Cessna 340 reported a landing gear issue that resulted in a ground loop during landing.