Casualties unknown

2002-09-28: Cessna 421B (N7926R) — Mineral Wells, TX

Mineral Wells, TX, US

On September 28, 2002, a Cessna 421B (registration N7926R) was involved in an aviation accident near Mineral Wells, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate which resulted hard landing and a subsequent failure of the main landing gear. 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

During landing roll, the left main landing gear collapsed, causing the left wing to drop and the aircraft to slide off the runway. A witness reported a hard landing with an accelerated descent rate.

Incident Details

During the landing roll, the left wing dropped as the left main landing gear collapsed. The aircraft subsequently slid off the left side of the runway and came to a stop shortly thereafter.

Witness Accounts

A pilot-rated passenger seated in the right front seat during the accident described the landing as "normal," noting that the left wing dipped after touchdown "like the landing gear gave way."

A witness, who was a pilot in another airplane at the approach end of the runway, reported that the approach appeared normal until the aircraft was about 5 to 10 feet above the ground. At that point, the descent rate started to accelerate. The airplane touched down at a higher than normal sink rate, bounced after touchdown, and the left main landing gear appeared to collapse. The witness stated, "In my opinion it was a hard landing which would require at least a visual inspection before flying again."

Sequence of Events

The aircraft touched down with a higher than normal sink rate, resulting in a bounce. The left main landing gear then appeared to fail, leading the left wing to drop and the aircraft to veer off the runway. The aircraft came to rest off the left side of the runway.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20021002X05259. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.