On March 13, 1989, a Cessna 402A (registration N2882F) operated by Rea, Lawrence E. (jr.) was involved in an aviation accident near Miami, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the left main landing gear retraction linkage bellcrank due to overload, which caused the gear to collapse during the landing roll. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The left main landing gear collapsed during the landing roll, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway. Investigation revealed a failed bellcrank in the retraction linkage assembly due to overload.
What happened
During the landing roll, approximately 4000 feet down the 5002-foot runway, the left main landing gear collapsed. Following this structural failure, the aircraft veered off the runway. The pilot's last medical certificate was dated June 6, 1983.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed that the bellcrank for the left main landing gear retraction linkage assembly had failed from overload. This mechanical failure allowed the gear to collapse upon impact with the ground. The specific reason for the overload was not determined during the investigation.
Probable cause
The failure of the left main landing gear retraction linkage bellcrank due to overload, which caused the gear to collapse during the landing roll.
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