On October 5, 1999, a Cessna 421B (registration N69GP) was involved in an aviation accident near Montague, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The collapse of the left main landing gear during the landing rollout for undetermined reasons, which resulted in the pilot's loss of directional control. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
After landing, the left main landing gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to veer left and strike a parked Cessna P210N, which then hit a Cessna 150K. Examination found no cause for the collapse.
Accident Details
The pilot landed the airplane, and approximately 500 to 800 feet beyond the touchdown point, the left main landing gear collapsed. The pilot attempted to maintain directional control using aileron and rudder inputs, but the airplane continued to veer left off the runway toward the ramp area. Before coming to a stop, the right side of the airplane impacted the left wing of a parked Cessna P210N, causing substantial damage to both aircraft. The Cessna P210N then spun around, came out of its tie-down chains, and collided with a parked Cessna 150K, inflicting minor damage to that aircraft.
Examination Findings
The pilot reported that all three green landing gear down indicator lights had been illuminated prior to landing. A postcrash examination of the airplane revealed that the left landing gear had retracted up into the gear well, while the nose gear and right gear appeared undamaged. Examination of the landing gear and the associated extension and retraction systems failed to disclose a cause for the collapse. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the aircraft prior to the accident. He estimated winds at the accident airport were from approximately 200 degrees at less than 5 knots.