Pilot Debrief

CESSNA T310R near Casper, WY — 2013-02-17

Final reportWPR13LA132
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Date
2013-02-17
Location
Casper, WY, USA
Airport
CPR
Aircraft
CESSNA T310R
Registration
N4941J
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The separation of the right main gear bracket assembly from its wing attachment fitting due to lack of lubrication of the torque tube bearing.

NTSB narrative

After takeoff, while retracting the landing gear, the pilot heard an unusual banging sound on the right side of the airplane. The right main landing gear did not fully retract. The pilot cycled the gear. When he did not get an indication that the landing gear was in the down and locked position, he attempted to manually extend the gear; however, this was not successful. Upon landing, the airplane experienced a right main landing gear collapse. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right main gear bracket assembly had separated from its wing attachment point fitting. Further, the torque tube bearing would not rotate and lacked lubrication. It is likely that with no rotation in the bearing, the attachment fitting became worn with each cycle and reached a point where it could no longer support the load applied and separated.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after hearing unusual banging sound.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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