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Landing Rollout Deviation After Nose Gear Steering Link Rod Fatigue Failure (N5748B)

Sacramento, CA, US

On March 27, 2005, a Cessna 182 (registration N5748B) operated by Donald D. Ridenour was involved in an aviation accident near Sacramento, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The right side steering link rod failed in fatigue, leading to its separation from the steering assembly and subsequent overload failure of the left side rod end, resulting in loss of steering control. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

During landing rollout, an airplane veered left and nosed down until the right wing struck the runway. Examination revealed a fatigue failure of the right side steering link rod, leading to loss of steering control.

Event Description

During the landing rollout, the airplane experienced a sharp left deviation and a nose-down pitch, causing the right wing to strike the runway.

Post-Accident Inspection

After the event, an examination of the airframe was conducted. Investigators found a broken component in the nose gear steering system: the right side steering link rod.

Failure Analysis

The right side steering link rod had failed in fatigue. This fatigue failure resulted in the rod separating from the steering assembly. Following the separation, the left side rod end failed due to overload. With both rod ends compromised, all steering control was lost.

Conclusion

The loss of steering control during the landing rollout led to the aircraft's deviation and wing strike. The investigation determined that the initiating failure was a fatigue fracture of the right side steering link rod.

Probable cause

The right side steering link rod failed in fatigue, leading to its separation from the steering assembly and subsequent overload failure of the left side rod end, resulting in loss of steering control.
Structural failure

Related events

Same aircraft family

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 27 Mar 2005 Cessna 182 accident near Sacramento, CA?

During landing rollout, an airplane veered left and nosed down until the right wing struck the runway. Examination revealed a fatigue failure of the right side steering link rod, leading to loss of steering control.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 27 Mar 2005 involved a Cessna 182, registration N5748B, operated by Donald D. Ridenour, at Sacramento, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The right side steering link rod failed in fatigue, leading to its separation from the steering assembly and subsequent overload failure of the left side rod end, resulting in loss of steering control.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20050404X00403. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.