On November 6, 1983, a Beech 95-B55 (registration N677K) was involved in an aviation accident near Tulsa, OK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A spring, P/N 35-815115, designed to lift the up lock out of position allowing the gear down sequence to begin was missing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a missed approach from a practice ILS, a loud noise occurred during gear retraction. The right main gear remained retracted; the aircraft landed on it, swerving into a taxiway sign. A missing spring prevented gear extension.
Incident Description
During a missed approach from a practice instrument landing system (ILS) approach, a loud noise was heard when the landing gear was retracted. The pilot subsequently attempted to extend the landing gear using both normal and manual methods. However, the right main landing gear remained in the up and locked position, with the inboard gear door slightly open. The pilot then landed the aircraft with the right gear retracted. During the landing roll, the aircraft swerved to the right and struck a taxiway direction sign.
Findings
Examination of the right main landing gear revealed that it was held in the up position by the gear up lock. A spring, part number 35-815115, which is designed to lift the up lock out of position to allow the gear down sequence to begin, was missing. The absence of this spring prevented the gear from extending. No other anomalies were found that would have affected the gear operation.
Probable cause
A spring, P/N 35-815115, designed to lift the up lock out of position allowing the gear down sequence to begin was missing.