On July 14, 1998, a Cessna 190 (registration N56W) was involved in an aviation accident near Pontiac, MI. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The collapse of the left main landing gear due to rust and deep pitting on the fractured surface, which occurred despite the gear being replaced three years earlier but not flown until the time of the accident. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The pilot executed a normal landing roll when the left main landing gear collapsed. Post-accident inspection revealed severe corrosion on the fractured component, which had been replaced three years earlier.
What happened
The pilot reported performing a standard gentle three-point landing. During the subsequent landing roll, the left main landing gear collapsed. The aircraft sustained damage as a result of the incident.
The investigation
A detailed inspection of the airplane was conducted following the accident. Examination of the fractured surface of the left main gear revealed significant rust and deep pitting. This level of corrosion indicated long-term degradation of the metal structure.
Findings
The aircraft's maintenance records showed that the landing gear had been replaced three years prior to the accident. However, this event marked the first flight conducted since that replacement was completed. The presence of severe corrosion on a component that had not been in active service for several years suggests that environmental exposure during storage contributed to the structural failure.
Probable cause
The collapse of the left main landing gear due to rust and deep pitting on the fractured surface, which occurred despite the gear being replaced three years earlier but not flown until the time of the accident.
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