Incident Overview
A Cessna Citation III, having completed a passenger pickup, was returning to the departure airport. The aircraft was established on the Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to runway 04. The pilot applied a wind drift correction of approximately 20 degrees to the right to maintain alignment with the localizer course. The landing checks were completed, and all three landing gear indicator lights showed green.
Landing Sequence
The aircraft touched down within the first 1,000 feet of the runway, then bounced. After the bounce, it touched down again approximately 300 to 400 feet further down the runway. About 500 feet after the second touchdown, the left main landing gear collapsed, causing the airplane to stop on the runway.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the aircraft revealed no preimpact failures. The main landing gear actuator was examined, showing that the end of the piston was severed at the rod end attachment point and bent at an angle of approximately 20 degrees. The airport reported winds from 120 degrees at 25 knots. The aircraft's maximum demonstrated landing crosswind component was 25 knots.
Pilot Experience
The pilot had a total accumulated flight experience of 7,120 hours, including 52 hours in the Cessna Citation III make and model. Of those, 3 hours were logged in the preceding 30 days.