On May 31, 1999, a Cessna 195 (registration N2151C) was involved in an aviation accident near Conroe, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fatigue cracking that initiated from an area of fretting damage due to contact with the clamping mechanism. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During the landing roll, the left main landing gear separated after a loud pop, causing the left wing to drop. The gear was found on the runway; fatigue from fretting damage was identified.
Event Description
During the landing roll, the pilot heard a loud pop, after which the left wing dropped to the runway. The airplane slid approximately 50 to 75 feet before coming to a stop. The separated left main landing gear was found in the middle of the runway, about 80 to 90 feet from where the airplane stopped.
Examination
The inboard section of the separated left main landing gear spring was examined at the NTSB Materials Laboratory. The examination revealed that fatigue cracks had initiated from an area containing fretting damage caused by contact with the clamping mechanism.
Probable cause
Fatigue cracking that initiated from an area of fretting damage due to contact with the clamping mechanism.