Casualties unknown

2002-03-19: Cessna 310B (N5381A) — Provo, UT

Provo, UT, US

On March 19, 2002, a Cessna 310B (registration N5381A) was involved in an aviation accident near Provo, UT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the nose landing gear retraction/extension assembly for an undetermined reason, which resulted in collapse of the nose landing gear on landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A Cessna 310B's landing gear failed to retract after takeoff. The crew continued the flight to burn fuel, then conducted a precautionary landing. During the landing roll, the nose landing gear collapsed, causing substantial damage to the nose gear well structure.

Incident Overview

A Cessna 310B experienced a landing gear malfunction shortly after takeoff from an unspecified location. According to the instructor, after lift-off and with no more usable runway, the landing gear was retracted. The green gear indicator light did not illuminate, prompting the pilot to check the left main tank mirror to identify the gear malfunction. The crew decided to continue the local flight to burn off excess fuel before returning for a precautionary landing at Provo.

Damage and Landing

During the landing roll at Provo, the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and right forward nose landing gear well former (keel beam) assemblies.

Landing Gear System Details

The manufacturer states that the Cessna 310B is equipped with a landing gear position light system. Two lights are provided, one above and one below the landing gear switch. The upper light is red and illuminates at all times when the gear is retracted. The lower light is green and illuminates only when the landing gear is fully extended and locked. If the landing gear is not fully extended and locked, the green light will not illuminate. If neither light is on, the landing gear is in an intermediate position.

Aftermath

No further details were provided regarding the cause of the gear malfunction or the occupants' status.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020410X00485. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.