CESSNA 560XL near Eugene, OR — 2012-04-27

Probable cause

An uncommanded landing gear retraction after touchdown for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot-in-command (PIC) reported that, during the visual approach to the airport, he and the second-in-command (SIC) lowered the landing gear and verified that all cockpit indications showed that the landing gear were in the down-and-locked position. The airplane touched down smoothly on the main landing gear (MLG) and then touched down on the nose landing gear (NLG). The PIC had his hand on the thrust reversers when he and the SIC heard the landing gear unsafe horn; the left MLG then collapsed followed immediately by the collapse of the right MLG and the NLG. The airplane slid on its belly for about 1,500 ft before it came to rest on the runway. Cockpit voice recorder data confirmed that the unsafe landing gear configuration warning did not occur before touchdown as reported by the PIC. Postaccident examination revealed that, although the landing gear handle was in the down-and-locked position, all of the landing gear were fully retracted and engaged in their respective uplocks. Extensive testing of the airplane's hydraulic and electrical systems did not reveal any malfunctions that would have resulted in an uncommanded gear retraction. Some small, fine particulate matter was observed within the hydraulic manifold assembly; however, testing was unable to determine if these particles contributed to the uncommanded landing gear retraction.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Mechanical failure

First missed decision gate

Pilot could have verified landing gear status before touchdown.

NTSB coding

• Landing gear collapse · Landing-landing roll

Evidence available

• CVR
• Photos
• 23 docket documents

Docket documents23

• Evidence Control Form – CVRcvr
• Evidence Control Form – EGPWSform
• Evidence Control Form – Gear Control and Gear Monitoring PCB’sform
• Evidence Control Form – Hydraulic Manifold Assemblyform
• Evidence Control Form – Landing Gear Actuatorsform
• Evidence Control Form – Landing Gear Handleform
• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
• Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15form
• Passenger Written Statementinterview
• Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigationinterview
• Component Examination - EGPWSother
• Record of Conversation - Co pilotother
• Record of Conversation - Passengerother
• Airframe Examination – Eugene, Oregon (8 Embedded Images)photos
• Airframe Examination – Wichita, Kansas (1 Embedded Images)photos
• Component Examination - Nabtesco Aerospace Inc. (6 Embedded Images)photos
• Component Examinations - PneuDraulics, Inc. (4 Embedded Images)photos
• On Scene Photos – Courtesy of Recovery Personnelphotos
• Runway Photos – Courtesy of The FAAphotos
• 1. Specialist’s Factual Summary Reportreport
• Weather Reports and Recordsreport
• Cessna Aircraft Company Landing Gear Uncommanded Retract Investigation Report with Proprietary Releasewreckage
• Cessna Aircraft Company Technical Report with Proprietary Releasewreckage

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