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.
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