Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 170A near Minden, NV — 2010-04-30

Final reportWPR10LA221
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Date
2010-04-30
Location
Minden, NV, USA
Airport
KMEV
Aircraft
CESSNA 170A
Registration
N5765C
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

A main landing gear collapse during the landing roll due to fatigue cracking and corrosion of the strut.

NTSB narrative

The certificated flight instructor (CFI) stated that, during the instructional flight, the pilot receiving instruction was practicing three-point landings in preparation for his tailwheel endorsement. The first landing was harder than normal due to a higher-than-normal sink rate. During the next landing attempt, the airplane yawed to the left. The CFI took over the airplane controls and corrected toward the runway centerline. While correcting, he heard a loud snapping noise followed by a loud scraping noise and felt the airplane make a sudden left turn. Postaccident examination revealed that the left landing gear strut fractured at the inboard end. Examination of the landing gear fracture surface by an NTSB materials laboratory metallurgist revealed evidence of fatigue cracking, an overstress fracture, and corrosion damage.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing after firm first attempt.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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