Accident Details
On March 27, 2013, at approximately 1045 central daylight time, a Cessna 421C, registration N805DC, sustained substantial damage during a landing at River Falls Airport in Amarillo, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by PMT Flyers LLC under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a maintenance positioning flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight operated on a visual flight rules flight plan. The flight originated from Amarillo International Airport about 1040.
Landing and Collapse
The pilot reported that while in the traffic pattern, he extended the landing gear and observed that all three green landing gear indicator lights illuminated, indicating the gear was down and locked. Upon landing, the pilot touched down initially on the right wheel due to crosswind correction. As the airplane settled on the left gear, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing tip struck the ground. The airplane subsequently exited the left side of the runway, where the right main landing gear and the nose landing gear separated from the airplane. The pilot was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its wings and fuselage.
Examination Findings
Post-accident examination revealed that all three gear-down indicator lights were illuminated despite the left main landing gear being collapsed into the wheel well. After raising the airplane, the landing gear was extended, and it was found that inward pressure on the left main landing gear would cause the actuator to unlock, allowing the gear to fold inward. Further testing showed that the down lock microswitch on the actuator remained in an electrically closed position regardless of the landing gear position. As the switch was being removed from the actuator, the switch contacts opened after the switch housing was rotated about 1/8 of a turn.
The assembly instructions from the actuator manufacturer's overhaul manual specified: "Hydraulically or manually extend and lock actuator. Lightly coat plunger of switch (3) and plunger (4) with silicone fluid... and install into gland (16). Install switch (3) with nut and washer saved from disassembly, into gland. Adjust switch so that the electrical signal comes on (continuity between leads (1 & 3) and (4 & 6) see figure 601) then turn another 90° ± 10°."
Disassembly of the actuator revealed that the switch plunger interfered with the internal locking mechanism of the actuator, preventing it from properly locking in the extended position. The as-found position of the switch was approximately 1/2 turn farther inward than specified in the assembly instructions. Once the down lock microswitch was adjusted according to the manufacturer's instructions, the actuator and switch functioned normally, and the actuator would lock in the extended position.
Maintenance Records
Maintenance records showed that both main landing gear actuators had been resealed at the last annual inspection on February 19, 2013. The mechanic who performed the maintenance reported that the work was done using guidance from the manufacturer's maintenance manual. He stated that the actuator was only disassembled to a point that allowed replacing the seals in the end cap assembly that the piston rod passes through, and that no adjustment of the gear indicator switch was performed.
The maintenance manual contained procedures for operational testing after maintenance, including electrically testing the switch for proper indication of unlocked and locked conditions.