What happened
On 19 June 2003, a CessNA TR182, registration ZS-KGE, was performing a private flight from Lanseria Aerodrome to Arnot Power Station. As the pilot approached the destination, they were unable to receive a positive indication that the landing gear was down. During the approach, the pilot flew past the aircraft owner three times to allow for a visual inspection. Although the owner communicated via radio that the gear appeared to be in the down position, the nose gear collapsed during the landing roll on Runway 31. The aircraft skidded for approximately 22 meters before coming to a stop. There were no injuries and no fatalities, though the propeller and the lower nose section of the aircraft sustained damage.
The investigation
An investigation into the incident focused on the mechanical state of the landing gear assembly. While no on-site investigation was performed, subsequent inspections by an Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) revealed that both nose landing gear actuator downlock pins were cracked. This structural failure prevented the actuator from reaching its full travel position. Furthermore, there was no documentation to confirm that the upgraded landing gear actuator pins (part number SK210-155) had been installed on the aircraft. The aircraft's last Maintenance Program Inspection (MPI) had been completed on 14 October 2002, with only 17 flight hours accumulated since that inspection.
Findings
- The primary cause of the gear collapse was the cracked nose landing gear actuator downlock pins.
- The cracks in the pins prevented the actuator from fully extending the gear.
- There was no evidence that the improved, later-revision pins (SK210-155) were installed on the aircraft.
Safety action
Following the incident, service bulletin SB95-20 recommends that initial inspections of landing gear actuator pins be performed within 200 hours of operation or 12 months, whichever comes first. Subsequent inspections should occur at every gear retraction check, not exceeding 200-hour intervals. However, this repetitive inspection requirement is waived once the upgraded SK210-155 pins are installed.