Accident Overview
On February 7, 2013, at approximately 1105 eastern standard time, a Beech 58 (registration N458P) was substantially damaged when the left main landing gear collapsed during landing at Smith Reynolds Airport (INT) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Butler County Regional Airport (HAO) in Hamilton, Ohio, around 0955.
Landing and Collapse
According to the pilot, while performing an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to runway 33, he extended the landing gear and confirmed all three gear were down by observing the green indicator light. Immediately after touchdown, the left main gear collapsed, causing the airplane to veer left. After departing the runway surface, the airplane struck a taxiway sign, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing.
Post-Accident Examination
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors examined the main gear rigging and determined that the emergency gear handle could rotate one full turn before hitting its internal stops. The Beech Aircraft Maintenance Manual specifies that there should be 1/8 to 1/4 turn between the extended position and the internal stop. The manual further states that there are no down-position locks; the over-center mechanism is the only down-locking system.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for single-engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on March 28, 2012. He reported 1,011 total flight hours, with 95 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane.
Aircraft Information
The six-seat, low-wing, retractable tricycle-gear airplane, serial number TH119, was manufactured in 1970. It was powered by two Continental Motors IO-520-C, 285-horsepower engines with McCauley controllable-pitch propellers. Logbook review showed the most recent annual inspection was completed on July 9, 2012, at which time the aircraft had accumulated 5,690 total hours. The left and right engines had accumulated about 1,152 and 30 total hours since new, respectively. The airplane had flown approximately 28 hours since the annual inspection.
Weather Conditions
The 1054 recorded weather observation at INT included wind from 070 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 8 miles, overcast ceiling at 1,300 feet, temperature 3°C, dew point -1°C, and barometric altimeter setting of 30.30 inches of mercury.