On January 21, 1995, a Cessna 421C (registration N421AW) was involved in an aviation accident near Angola, IN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: OVERLOAD FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SHOCK STRUT SLEEVE FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane experienced a hard landing, resulting in overload fractures on the landing gear shock strut and the right wing contacting the runway. Post-accident inspection revealed ice on the leading edge deicing boots.
Landing Sequence
The airplane touched down on the left main landing gear, followed by the right main landing gear. According to the pilot, the airplane pulled to the right after the right tire touched down. A passenger reported that the right main landing gear touched down hard, after which a 'thud' sound was heard. Following the thud, the right wing lowered until it contacted the runway.
Findings from On-Scene Investigation
Examination of the landing gear revealed overload fractures on the shock strut sleeve, and metal shavings were found in the strut's lower attach fitting hole.
The leading edge deicing boots on the wing and horizontal stabilizer were observed to have 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice covering approximately 50 percent of their surface.