Nose gear collapse during landing rollout due to micro switch failure

Casualties unknown • Miami, FL, US

Aircraft registration N12345 experienced a nose gear collapse upon touchdown on runway 12. Investigation revealed a broken lead wire caused the pilot to receive a false down-and-locked indication.

What happened

The pilot reported conducting a standard approach to runway 12. During the landing rollout, as the nose of the aircraft made contact with the ground, the nose gear assembly collapsed. The aircraft subsequently slid to a stop.

The investigation

Post-crash examination of the aircraft revealed that the green light for the nose gear remained illuminated regardless of the actual landing gear position. This malfunction was caused by a broken lead wire on the number 5 pole of the nose landing gear position micro switch.

This specific micro switch is responsible for activating the hydraulic pressure that holds the gear in the locked position. Consequently, the pilot received a down and locked indication even though the gear was not actually locked in the down position.

Findings

The primary factor was the failure of the nose landing gear to lock due to the broken lead wire on the micro switch. This resulted in a false indication to the pilot that the gear was secure, leading to the collapse upon touchdown.

Probable cause

A broken lead wire on the number 5 pole of the nose landing gear position micro switch, which prevented the activation of hydraulic pressure to lock the gear while providing a false down-and-locked indication to the pilot.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1985-10-25 Cessna 402C accident near Miami, FL?

Aircraft registration N12345 experienced a nose gear collapse upon touchdown on runway 12. Investigation revealed a broken lead wire caused the pilot to receive a false down-and-locked indication.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1985-10-25 involved a Cessna 402C, registration N67876, operated by Gull Air,inc., at Miami, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

A broken lead wire on the number 5 pole of the nose landing gear position micro switch, which prevented the activation of hydraulic pressure to lock the gear while providing a false down-and-locked indication to the pilot.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X38078. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

Loading the flight search…