Accident Details
On April 16, 2023, at 0930 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 337, registration N38C, was substantially damaged during landing at Cable Airport (CCB) near Upland, California. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported departing Cable Airport for a local flight. Upon returning, during the downwind leg, he lowered the landing gear handle but did not receive three green indicator lights. He performed the emergency landing gear extension checklist and noted high resistance in the landing gear pump handle, which he interpreted as the gear being down. He also felt excessive drag, suspecting the main gear doors were open.
The pilot mentioned experiencing anxiety at that moment, recalling a recent fatal accident involving the same model. He considered that the accident might have occurred due to the main landing gear doors remaining open, causing excessive drag. He conducted a low pass over the runway and asked via radio if anyone could verify the landing gear was down and locked, but received no response. The pilot reported that flaring was very difficult due to open gear doors, and the nose gear and left main landing gear collapsed on touchdown.
Flight Path Data
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data showed the airplane made a normal crosswind turn, then angled toward the runway threshold before making a tight left base turn to final. The airplane landed hard, short, and to the right of the runway threshold.
Postaccident Examination
Examination revealed that the left main landing gear and nose gear had collapsed. The right main landing gear remained in the down and locked position and was undamaged. Both main gear doors were found in the open position. The hydraulic reservoir was full of fluid. The landing gear system was cycled multiple times; the main gear doors failed to close properly. To close the doors, all three limit switches must be operational. Testing identified that the left limit switch was worn and defective, while other components operated as expected.
Damage
The left wing sustained substantial damage. The left main landing gear and nose gear collapsed.