Pilot Debrief

HONDA AIRCRAFT HA-420 near Charleston, SC — 2019-10-07

Final reportERA20LA006
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Date
2019-10-07
Location
Charleston, SC, USA
Airport
CHS
Aircraft
HONDA AIRCRAFT HA-420
Registration
N166HJ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

Ground personnel’s use of an improper towbar adapter lug, which prevented the nose landing gear from extending.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that, during the landing approach, after extending the landing gear, he received a yellow nose landing gear indicator light and an aural “gear unsafe” warning. He aborted the approach to troubleshoot and, after performing an emergency gear extension, received a red nose landing gear light and a warning message indicating a problem with the landing gear doors. The pilot subsequently landed and the airplane settled onto the nose, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. Examination of the airplane revealed a towbar adapter lug inside of the nose wheel axle assembly. The adapter lug was not a produced by the airplane manufacturer nor was it specified for use for the accident airplane. A witness mark was discovered on the top surface of the nose landing gear door and at the bottom of the nose landing gear bay. It is likely that, based on the incorrect size of the towbar adapter lug, the nose wheel landing gear became stuck in the stowed/retracted position.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have opted for a go-around earlier in the approach.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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