Pilot Debrief

BEECH 58 near Winston-Salem, NC — 2013-02-07

Final reportERA13LA129
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Date
2013-02-07
Location
Winston-Salem, NC, USA
Airport
INT
Aircraft
BEECH 58
Registration
N458P
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The failure of the left main landing gear to fully extend due to improper rigging by maintenance personnel during a maintenance check.

NTSB narrative

While performing an instrument landing system approach, the pilot lowered the landing gear and confirmed that it was extended by observing the cockpit gear indication. Immediately after landing, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane veered to the left. After departing the side of the runway, the airplane struck a taxiway sign, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. Examination of the main gear rigging showed that the emergency gear handle was able to rotate one full turn before hitting the internal stops. However, the Beech Aircraft Maintenance Manual states that there should only be 1/8- to 1/4-turn between the gear handle extended position and the internal stop during rigging checks. According to the manual, there are no down-position locks and, therefore, over-center tension is the only down-locking system. Therefore, the improper rigging of the landing gear during a maintenance check did not provide adequate down tension and prevented the landing gear from fully extending.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have verified landing gear function before landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents9

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