On May 30, 2003, a Cessna 320 (registration N5712X) operated by Kenneth W. Simonis was involved in an aviation accident near Mccarthy, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The collapse of the left main landing gear during the landing roll for undetermined reasons. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A private pilot with an aviation mechanic certificate reported that the left main landing gear collapsed during landing roll at a remote airport. Damage occurred to the left flap and fuselage underside.
Incident Overview
A private certificated pilot, who also holds an aviation mechanic certificate, experienced a left main landing gear collapse during the landing roll at a remote airport while on a cross-country business flight. The pilot reported that the aircraft was equipped with a single landing gear position indicator light. Prior to landing, he observed the right main landing gear and the nose gear through a mirror mounted on the right engine nacelle; both appeared to be extended, and the landing gear position light indicated green.
Damage and Inspection
The aircraft sustained damage to the left flap and the underside of the fuselage. The pilot noted that the landing gear drive mechanism consists of an actuator rod driven by an electric motor. He stated that the main landing gear had been subjected to side loads during a flight immediately preceding the accident flight. He suggested that either the left main landing gear actuator rod or its associated support structure may have been damaged as a result. As of July 2004, the pilot had not yet had the opportunity to thoroughly inspect the landing gear system to determine the precise cause of the collapse.