What happened
On October 9, 2013, at approximately 16:30 UTC, a Cessna 310Q, registration PT-KEN, was performing a local flight at the Aeródromo Nacional de Aviação (SWNV) in Goiânia, Brazil. The aircraft was operated for private purposes with a pilot and two passengers on board. Following a normal landing, the pilot initiated a left turn to vacate the main runway. During this maneuver, the right main landing gear retracted.
All three occupants were unharmed, though the aircraft sustained minor damage.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the structural failure of the landing gear assembly. The pilot reported that all checklist procedures had been completed during the final approach and that the landing gear indication showed it was properly extended and locked.
Upon inspection of the wreckage, investigators identified a fracture in the upper portion of the right main landing gear. Material analysis conducted by the Institute of Aeronautics and Space (IAE) revealed that the fracture was caused by an overload applied to the component. The analysis found no evidence of corrosion in the fracture area. Additionally, witnesses at the airfield reported that the aircraft was traveling at a speed higher than normal when the pilot began the turn to vacate the runway.
Findings
- The primary cause of the gear retraction was a structural failure of the right main landing gear upper component due to material overload.
- The overload was likely caused by improper piloting judgment and control inputs during the turn.
- The aircraft was operating at an excessive speed during the runway exit maneuver.