Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 310L near Linden, NJ — 2016-07-23

Final reportERA16LA271
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Date
2016-07-23
Location
Linden, NJ, USA
Airport
LDJ
Aircraft
CESSNA 310L
Registration
N3261X
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The overtravel of the main landing gear (MLG) actuator, which resulted in the MLG partially collapsing upon landing. The reasons for the overtravel of the MLG actuator could not be determined due to the unavailability of the wreckage.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot stated that, following a flight in which he was performing a functional check on all systems, when he configured the airplane for landing, he saw three green landing gear lights, visually confirmed that the nose landing gear was down, and then completed the approach for landing. The pilot reported that, at touchdown, he heard a "noise," and the copilot reported hearing a "bang" before the airplane's tail dropped to the runway. During the landing rollout, the copilot attempted to "feather the engines" but was only able to feather the right propeller. The airplane then departed the right side of the runway and settled in grass. Upon recovery, the nose landing gear were found down and locked, but the main landing gear (MLG) were partially collapsed and would not lock when the airplane was lifted and the gear moved by hand. Examination of the MLG revealed that the landing gear actuator had been driven beyond the down limit switch and that its travel was stopped by the internal stop pin in the actuator. When the landing gear actuator was driven beyond the down limit and toward the internal stop pin, the MLG was released from its down-and-locked position, which allowed it to partially retract before landing. The wreckage was disposed of before a more detailed examination could be performed, and the reason for the overtravel of the MLG actuator could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have verified landing gear status before touchdown.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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