On November 30, 2000, a Cessna 320C (registration N3043T) operated by Cordell W. Shaw was involved in an aviation accident near Englewood, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A nose gear extension rod bent during retraction, causing the nose gear to fail to fully extend during landing gear extension. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot landed safely after a nose gear extension rod bent during retraction, preventing full extension. The tower confirmed the gear was down but not fully extended.
Incident Overview
A pilot encountered a landing gear malfunction while preparing to land. Upon selecting the landing gear down, the nose wheel landing gear indicator light remained red, indicating an issue. The pilot flew past the control tower to request a visual inspection. Tower controllers reported that the nose wheel landing gear appeared to be down but not fully extended.
Landing and Post-Accident Findings
Despite the incomplete extension, the pilot proceeded with the landing. After touchdown, the nose of the aircraft was allowed to settle onto the runway. The airplane came to rest on the runway centerline without veering off. Following the incident, maintenance personnel conducted a post-accident examination. They determined that a nose gear extension rod had bent during the previous retraction cycle. This deformation prevented the nose gear from fully extending when the landing gear was lowered.
Investigation Details
The examination confirmed that the bent extension rod was the cause of the malfunction. No other anomalies were reported with the landing gear system. The aircraft was subsequently removed from the runway for repairs.
Probable cause
A nose gear extension rod bent during retraction, causing the nose gear to fail to fully extend during landing gear extension.