Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 120 near Smith Valley, NV — 2012-06-08

Final reportWPR12LA262
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Date
2012-06-08
Location
Smith Valley, NV, USA
Airport
NV33
Aircraft
CESSNA 120
Registration
N1875N
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The failure of the right main landing gear strut due to corrosion-induced fatigue, which resulted in a runway excursion.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane bounced during the landing, and when it touched down again, it veered to the left. The pilot applied power to abort the landing, but the airplane continued off the left side of the runway surface into sagebrush. Postaccident examination revealed that the right main landing gear strut was transversely fractured through the upper attachment hole for the step bracket. Subsequent metallurgical examination revealed that the fracture surface was indicative of fatigue and originated in an area of corrosion.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing earlier to prevent runway excursion.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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