Right main gear collapse following landing

Casualties unknown • Seattle, WA, US

A right main landing gear collapsed during the landing roll of a flight after the pilot failed to secure the gear with an external lock following a previous indication issue.

What happened

Upon arriving at his original destination, the pilot cycled the landing gear six times. During this process, the green gear-down light for the right main gear failed to illuminate. To resolve the issue, the pilot utilized the emergency extension system to blow the gear down, which subsequently caused the right main gear-down light to illuminate.

Following the landing, the pilot performed an inspection of the landing gear. However, the pilot did not contact company maintenance personnel or utilize an external lock to ensure the gear remained in a down-and-locked position. The aircraft then departed for its final destination with the gear left in the down position. During the landing roll at the second destination, the right main gear collapsed.

The investigation

An examination of the landing gear assembly revealed corrosion and scoring of the metal located inside the down-lock tube. This damage was found specifically where the teeth of the down-lock mechanism slide into the engaged position.

Probable cause

Corrosion and metal scoring within the down-lock tube prevented the mechanism from properly engaging, combined with the pilot's failure to secure the gear with an external lock after an initial indication malfunction.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1993-07-03 Cessna 414A accident near Seattle, WA?

A right main landing gear collapsed during the landing roll of a flight after the pilot failed to secure the gear with an external lock following a previous indication issue.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1993-07-03 involved a Cessna 414A, registration N4735A, operated by Galvin Flying Service, at Seattle, WA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Corrosion and metal scoring within the down-lock tube prevented the mechanism from properly engaging, combined with the pilot's failure to secure the gear with an external lock after an initial indication malfunction.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X13002. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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