Pilot Debrief

Cessna 182 near King Salmon, AK — 2020-09-21

Final reportANC20LA098
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Date
2020-09-21
Location
King Salmon, AK, USA
Airport
PAKN
Aircraft
Cessna 182
Registration
N182KT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The fatigue fracture failure of the left main landing gear U-bolt during landing, which resulted in the collapse and separation of the left main landing gear spring.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, after a normal touchdown in crosswind conditions, the left main landing gear (MLG) began to shake and rattle. The shaking continued and became more severe as the airplane continued its landing roll, and the airplane subsequently began to veer to the left and exited the runway. As the airplane came to rest, the MLG spring separated from the fuselage, resulting in substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator. A postaccident examination of the left MLG spring attach hardware fractured surfaces revealed that the left MLG U-bolt failed due to fatigue cracking and the MLG support bolt fractured within the shank due to shear loads.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing upon noticing the left MLG shaking.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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