Pilot Debrief

BELLANCA 17-31ATC near Roosevelt, UT — 2009-06-19

Final reportWPR09LA297
Sign in to save
Date
2009-06-19
Location
Roosevelt, UT, USA
Airport
74V
Aircraft
BELLANCA 17-31ATC
Registration
N14797
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The retraction of the left main landing gear due to the failure of the extension and retraction actuator arm attach bolt. Contributing to the accident was the failure of maintenance personnel to discover the extensive elongation of the actuator attach fitting bolt hole during past annual inspections.

NTSB narrative

During the landing roll, the bolt holding the left main landing gear hydraulic extension and retraction actuator to the gear support structure failed, which allowed the left main landing gear leg to retract. Further inspection determined that over time the bolt hole on the support structure had elongated to about twice its original size. This condition would have been very difficult to detect on a preflight inspection; however, it should have been detected during previous annual inspections.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Annual inspections should have detected the worn bolt hole in the gear leg support.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

Related mishaps