On May 4, 2002, a Cessna 310L (registration N1199L) was involved in an aviation accident near Detroit, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The total failure of the electrical system, the landing gear indicating system not operating, and the unsuccessful emergency landing gear extension. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During cruise, the airplane experienced a total electrical power loss. The pilot deployed the landing gear manually using the emergency hand crank. Upon landing, both main and nose gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage. The gear position lights were inoperative due to the electrical failure.
Event Summary
While in cruise flight, the airplane experienced a complete loss of electrical power. The pilot then attempted to extend the landing gear using the emergency gear extension hand crank.
Emergency Gear Extension Procedure
According to the Cessna 310L Pilot Operating Handbook (POH), the correct procedure for emergency gear extension when electrical power is unavailable is to rotate the emergency landing gear hand crank clockwise four turns past the point where the gear down lights come on, which is approximately 52 total turns. However, due to the electrical failure, the gear position indicating lights were inoperative, making it impossible to confirm the gear-down indication through the normal lighting system.
Landing and Damage
During the landing, the main landing gear and nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage as a result.