On October 31, 2004, a Cessna 340A-RAM VI (registration N340BK) was involved in an aviation accident near Pensacola, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The left landing gear collapsing due to the actuator separating for undetermined reasons. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During taxi at an airport, a small airplane's left main landing gear collapsed at the intersection of taxiways Alpha and Bravo, causing damage to the left wing and horizontal stabilizer.
Incident Overview
The pilot of the airplane reported that after completing a thorough preflight inspection, the left main landing gear collapsed while taxiing for takeoff. The aircraft had crossed runway 17 and was at the intersection of taxiways Alpha and Bravo when the collapse occurred. The event resulted in damage to the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer.
Post-Accident Examination
An FAA licensed mechanic performed a postaccident examination of the aircraft. The examination revealed that the landing gear mechanism had separated at the point where the actuating rod connects to the landing gear trunnion. The mechanic noted that the fracture surfaces exhibited no signs of fatigue under magnification, and no anomalies were observed in the rigging of the landing gear.
Findings
The investigation did not determine a probable cause for the separation. The mechanic's examination did not identify any preexisting cracks or rigging issues that could explain the failure.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 31 Oct 2004 Cessna 340A-RAM VI accident near Pensacola, FL?
During taxi at an airport, a small airplane's left main landing gear collapsed at the intersection of taxiways Alpha and Bravo, causing damage to the left wing and horizontal stabilizer.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 31 Oct 2004 involved a Cessna 340A-RAM VI, registration N340BK, at Pensacola, FL.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The left landing gear collapsing due to the actuator separating for undetermined reasons.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…