Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 421C near Mesa, AZ — 2008-10-30

Final reportWPR09LA029
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Date
2008-10-30
Location
Mesa, AZ, USA
Airport
FFZ
Aircraft
CESSNA 421C
Registration
N421PC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The failure of the hydraulic landing gear extension systems due to a ruptured line.

NTSB narrative

At the conclusion of the business flight, the pilot placed the landing gear selector in the down position. The gear did not extend. Then, the pilot attempted to extend the gear using the emergency procedure, and he was similarly unsuccessful. The pilot landed with the gear partially extended. The airplane swerved off the runway and was substantially damaged. An examination of the landing gear system revealed that an aluminum hydraulic line had ruptured at a 45-degree bend near the location of an Adel clamp. The subsequent loss of fluid rendered the primary and emergency gear extension systems inoperative.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have conducted a go-around after gear failure indication.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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