On October 18, 1994, a Cessna 402 (registration N402SW) was involved in an aviation accident near Grand Canyon, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A fractured bellcrank in the left main landing gear system that jammed the gear in the up position, resulting in a gear-up landing and runway excursion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A mechanical failure in the left main landing gear system led to a gear-up landing and runway excursion following takeoff.
What happened
The aircraft departed on a flight and subsequently landed with its landing gear retracted. Upon touchdown, the aircraft veered off the paved surface of the runway.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the airframe revealed that the left main landing gear system had failed to extend. Investigators located a fractured bellcrank within this assembly. This structural failure effectively jammed the landing gear mechanism in the fully retracted position, preventing deployment during the approach and landing phase.
Findings
Maintenance records indicated that the last inspection of the landing gear system was a 200-hour service accomplished approximately 71.1 flight hours prior to the incident. The fracture of the bellcrank component is identified as the primary mechanical failure leading to the accident sequence.
Probable cause
A fractured bellcrank in the left main landing gear system that jammed the gear in the up position, resulting in a gear-up landing and runway excursion.
What happened in the 18 Oct 1994 Cessna 402 accident near Grand Canyon, AZ?
A mechanical failure in the left main landing gear system led to a gear-up landing and runway excursion following takeoff.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 18 Oct 1994 involved a Cessna 402, registration N402SW, at Grand Canyon, AZ.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
A fractured bellcrank in the left main landing gear system that jammed the gear in the up position, resulting in a gear-up landing and runway excursion.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…