What happened
On 23 October 2013, a Cessna 340A, registration N340DW, was performing a private flight when it encountered difficulties during its approach to Grand Turk International Airport in the Turks & Caicos. While approaching for landing with the landing gear deployed, the pilot observed that the green 'down and locked' light for the left main gear was flickering intermittently.
In response to this indication, the pilot performed a missed approach. During a subsequent approach on the downwind leg, the pilot noted that the landing gear indication had stabilized, showing a continuous 'three greens' signal. However, as the aircraft touched down, the left main landing gear failed and collapsed. This caused the aircraft to slew approximately 230 degrees to the left, eventually coming to a stop off the side of the runway. There were no injuries to the pilot or the two passengers on board, though the aircraft sustained damage to the left wing and left propeller.
The investigation
Following the incident, the aircraft's maintenance company conducted an examination of the landing gear assembly. Despite this inspection, investigators were unable to identify the specific mechanical reason behind the failure of the left main gear.