Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 182F near Warrenton, VA — 2011-06-23

Final reportERA11LA357
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Date
2011-06-23
Location
Warrenton, VA, USA
Airport
7VG0
Aircraft
CESSNA 182F
Registration
N3152U
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Taxi

Probable cause

The fatigue failure of the left main landing gear due to inadequate maintenance inspection that did not detect and correct corrosion pitting.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, as he taxied the airplane to the runway for takeoff, the left main landing gear collapsed. Examination revealed that the left main landing gear had fractured and completely separated from the airplane about 6 inches outboard of its attachment point at the airframe. Examination of the fracture surface on the section of landing gear leg that remained attached to the airframe revealed features consistent with fatigue failure. Examination of the underside of the landing gear leg in an area directly adjacent to the fatigue zone revealed multiple corrosion pits. The manufacturer's maintenance guidance called for visual inspection of the landing gear every 100 hours, and the maintenance manual included information specific to corrosion control on the landing gear legs.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Regular inspection of landing gear for corrosion could have prevented failure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents12

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