On August 21, 1995, a Cessna 310B (registration N661R) was involved in an aviation accident near Monticello, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fatigue failure of the weld connecting the socket-strut, strut-tube, and plate-reinforcement on the right main landing gear. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The right main landing gear collapsed during the landing roll, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway into an embankment. Investigation found the failure was due to fatigue at the weld holding the socket-strut assembly.
What happened
During the landing roll, the right main gear collapsed. The airplane subsequently veered off the runway and came to rest in an embankment.
The investigation
A postaccident examination of the aircraft revealed that the right main landing gear failed through the weld connecting the socket-strut, strut-tube, and plate-reinforcement. A metallurgical analysis of the fracture surface indicated that the failure was caused by fatigue.
Findings
The structural integrity of the landing gear was compromised due to fatigue cracking at a critical weld joint. This mechanical failure led directly to the collapse of the gear during the ground roll phase.
Probable cause
Fatigue failure of the weld connecting the socket-strut, strut-tube, and plate-reinforcement on the right main landing gear.