Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 421 near Charleston, SC — 2014-03-20

Final reportERA14LA170
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Date
2014-03-20
Location
Charleston, SC, USA
Airport
CHS
Aircraft
CESSNA 421
Registration
N5929M
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

Inadequate maintenance, which resulted in the collapse of the right main landing gear during landing.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was concluding a personal flight with two passengers on board. The pilot reported that, during the landing roll and after a normal touchdown on the concrete runway, the right main landing gear (MLG) collapsed. The airplane then veered right and struck two runway lights, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing rear spar. Examination of the airplane revealed that the right MLG down-lock bellcrank was fractured and had separated from its respective trunnion. The bellcrank bolt was sheared at the bolt head, consistent with overload. The upper end of the bellcrank remained attached to the outboard push-pull tube. The lower end of the bellcrank, which attached to the rod end fitting at the lower side link, was broken, consistent with a ductile tension failure. The fracture location was consistent with additional stress that would have been placed on the bellcrank if the landing gear was not properly rigged; however, damage to the landing gear precluded the ability to functionally check or verify whether the gear was properly rigged. Review of maintenance records revealed that the airplane had been operated for about 4 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed about 2 months before the accident. At that time, maintenance, including the adjustment of the right MLG travel, was performed on the airplane.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Proper rigging of the landing gear should have been verified during maintenance.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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