On November 10, 1999, a Cessna 310Q (registration N310GC) was involved in an aviation accident near Jacksonville, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the left main landing gear down locking mechanism for undetermined reasons. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The left main landing gear of an airplane collapsed while taxiing on taxiway C, with the down-lock end fitting and retention bolt broken. Recent maintenance had been performed 18 hours prior.
Accident Summary
During a local personal flight, the pilot completed the flight and was returning to the parking ramp via taxiway 'C.' Without warning, the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane came to a stop on the taxiway.
Examination Findings
Examination of the airplane and landing gear assembly revealed that the left main landing gear down-lock end fitting assembly and the retention bolt had broken. A visual examination of the failed bolt assembly did not disclose any pre-existing cracking in the bolt structure. The examination of the locking linkage could not establish the installation specification prior to the accident.
Maintenance Records
Review of the maintenance logbooks showed that recent maintenance had been performed on the landing gear assembly 18 hours before the accident.