On July 22, 1990, a Cessna 340A (registration N555KB) operated by Brennan Aviation Corp. was involved in an aviation accident near Prospect, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: AN ON GROUND COLLISION WITH TERRAIN AFTER THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SIDE BRACE FAILED DUE TO SHEAR FROM THE SOFT, WET, ROUGH RUNWAY, ALLOWING THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR TO COLLAPSE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
After a normal touchdown and 300-foot roll, the right propeller struck the runway, the right main landing gear folded, and the aircraft slid to a stop in a marshy area. Inspection revealed a separated down lock linkage and a sheared bolt.
Incident Overview
The pilot reported that the touchdown was normal. After rolling approximately 300 feet down the runway, the first indication of a problem was seeing and hearing the right propeller strike the runway surface. Subsequently, the right main landing gear folded, and the airplane began sliding with the right propeller acting as a skid. The aircraft slid to the right of the runway and came to a stop 600 feet further down the runway in a marshy area.
Inspection Findings
Post-incident inspection of the right main landing gear revealed that the down lock linkage had separated between the rod end and the side brace lock link assembly. The end fitting bolt was found sheared at the fitting.
Runway Conditions
The runway surface was wet and consisted of tar and chip material, described as almost like gravel.