Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 175 near Hayden, ID — 2023-01-31

Final reportWPR23LA102
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Date
2023-01-31
Location
Hayden, ID, USA
Airport
COE
Aircraft
CESSNA 175
Registration
N9235B
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The failure of the right main landing gearbox assembly due to fatigue cracking, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the landing roll.

NTSB narrative

The pilot receiving instruction and flight instructor reported that, during the landing roll, while slowing the airplane in preparation to exit the runway, the airplane abruptly turned to the right. Despite the application of left rudder and left brake, the airplane continued to the right and ground looped. The pilot taxied the airplane back to his hangar and noticed that the rudder inputs needed were not typical. Upon examination at his hangar, he discovered substantial damage to the left wing, left horizontal stabilizer and elevator. He also noted that the right main landing gear leg was misaligned, and the right main landing gearbox assembly was fractured. Postaccident examination of the right main landing gearbox revealed evidence of fatigue cracking within the hollow slot of the assembly and subsequent overstress fractures outside of the fatigue zone.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the landing when controls felt unresponsive.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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