On February 7, 2000, a Cessna 310L (registration N867MF) was involved in an aviation accident near Flagstaff, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fracture across the eyelet of the nose gear retraction rod. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot landed with gear retracted after the nose gear failed to extend due to a fractured retraction rod eyelet. Tower confirmed the gear was not down. Runway foamed; no further incident.
Incident Overview
During the landing approach, the pilot lowered the landing gear handle, but the green nose gear indicator light did not illuminate. Air traffic control tower personnel visually confirmed that the nose landing gear was not extended. The pilot attempted to cycle the gear multiple times, but the nose gear light remained off, and tower personnel again reported that the nose gear had not deployed.
Decision to Land Gear-Up
The pilot subsequently raised the gear handle and informed the tower of the intention to land with the landing gear retracted. The runway was preemptively foamed in preparation for the gear-up landing. The aircraft touched down on its belly without further incident.
Post-Accident Inspection
Following the landing, a post-accident inspection of the aircraft was conducted. Examination of the nose landing gear system revealed a fracture across the eyelet of the nose gear retraction rod. This fracture prevented the nose gear from extending and locking into position.
Probable cause
Fracture across the eyelet of the nose gear retraction rod.