Casualties unknown

Landing Gear Fails to Extend, Leading to Gear-Up Landing (N4504Q)

Bismarck, ND, US

On May 7, 1982, a Cessna 402A (registration N4504Q) operated by Capital Aviation Corporation was involved in an aviation accident near Bismarck, ND. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot discovered the landing gear would not extend electrically, and manual extension failed when the crank chain broke. The aircraft landed with gear retracted. Investigation found a bent shaft, damaged bevel gear, and broken chain.

Incident Overview

A pilot experienced a landing gear malfunction when the gear would not extend electrically. An attempt was made to manually extend the gear using the emergency extension system. However, the hand crank would not turn in either direction. While force was applied to the cranks, the chain drive failed. The aircraft was subsequently landed with the landing gear retracted.

Component Examination

After the incident, the emergency extension system was disassembled for inspection. The examination revealed that a shaft, part number 0843400-50, was bent. Additionally, gouge marks were found on a tooth of a bevel gear, part number 0843400-49. The manual extension chain, part number 500000-52, which connects the hand crank to the bevel gears, had broken. No other discrepancies were evident in the landing gear system.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020917X03112. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.