What happened
On 25 July 1999, a Cessna T210M, registered as ZS-LWA, was conducting a ferry flight from Bethlehem to Wonderboom Airport. The flight proceeded normally until the aircraft reached its destination. Upon touchdown at Wonderboom Airport, the pilot attempted to apply the brakes, at which point the right-hand main landing gear collapsed. This mechanical failure caused the aircraft to veer off the runway to the right. While the aircraft sustained substantial damage, there were no injuries reported.
The investigation
Investigators examined the mechanical state of the aircraft's landing gear system and the flight controls. The inquiry established that all flight and engine controls were fully serviceable prior to the incident. The investigation focused on the hydraulic and mechanical components of the landing gear assembly to determine why the gear failed to support the aircraft's weight upon landing.
Findings
Technical analysis revealed that a micro-switch located on the down-lock mechanism of the right-hand main landing gear was stuck in the closed position. This malfunction provided a false indication in the cockpit, suggesting that the landing gear was properly deployed and locked when it was not. Consequently, the right-hand gear was not fully extended for landing. The impact of the landing created significant backpressure within the hydraulic system, which subsequently caused the left-hand main landing gear actuator to rupture.