Left main landing gear collapse during taxi

Casualties unknown • St. Louis, MO, US

A pilot experienced a left main landing gear collapse while taxiing at an airport following a normal landing.

What happened

Following a normal landing, the pilot of the aircraft reported seeing three green lights on the landing gear indication system. The aircraft taxied for approximately 2,000 feet before the pilot initiated a right turn onto a taxiway. During this turn, the left main landing gear collapsed. An inspection of the accident site determined that the distance from where the propeller first struck the runway to the point where the aircraft came to rest was approximately 120 feet.

The investigation

An examination of the landing gear assembly identified specific mechanical failures. The only visible damage found on the left main landing gear system consisted of a sheared AN25-38A bolt, which connected the rod end of the bellcrank to the lower side brace, and a sheared NAS464P4-26 bolt, which attaches the upper portion of the bellcrank to the upper portion of the upper barrel. While the right main landing gear was found to be operational, the left main landing gear could not be operationally checked during the inspection.

Probable cause

The collapse of the left main landing gear due to the shearing of bolts in the bellcrank assembly.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2002-07-24 Cessna 402B accident near St. Louis, MO?

A pilot experienced a left main landing gear collapse while taxiing at an airport following a normal landing.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2002-07-24 involved a Cessna 402B, registration N22PB, at St. Louis, MO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The collapse of the left main landing gear due to the shearing of bolts in the bellcrank assembly.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020731X01276. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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