Casualties unknown

2006-01-15: Cessna 310Q (N141DE) — Griffith, IN

Griffith, IN, US

On January 15, 2006, a Cessna 310Q (registration N141DE) was involved in an aviation accident near Griffith, IN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The right main gear down lock link failed due to overload. 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 a touch and go landing practice, the right main landing gear collapsed on the landing roll. The gear warning horn sounded and the down lock light flickered before the gear failed due to overload.

Accident Overview

A certified flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot were practicing touch and go landings when the right main landing gear collapsed during the landing roll. The accident occurred on the seventh landing of the session.

Sequence of Events

According to the CFI, the airplane was approximately three-quarters of the way down the runway at a speed of 20 miles per hour when the right main gear collapsed. The airplane subsequently slid off the right side of the runway and came to rest on the grass.

The student pilot reported a different sequence: during the landing roll, when approximately halfway down the runway, the landing gear warning horn sounded, and the gear down and locked light flickered on and off. The student stated that they kept the airplane straight on the runway, and as they slowed down, the right main gear collapsed.

Mechanical Examination

Photographs of the right main gear down lock link were examined by a metallurgist from the National Transportation Safety Board. The metallurgist determined that the fracture exhibited characteristics consistent with an overload failure.

Conclusion

The investigation focused on the failed down lock link, which was found to have fractured due to overload. No other factors were identified in the source material.

Probable cause

The right main gear down lock link failed due to overload.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20060216X00206. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.