Accident Details
On 12 June 2002 at 1102Z, a Cessna 310L (registration ZS-ETU) was conducting a training flight in the Nelspruit area. The aircraft landed on Runway 22 at Nelspruit Aerodrome. After the speed decreased to approximately 30 knots, the left-hand main landing gear collapsed. The aircraft veered off the runway to the left near the start of the right-hand taxiway intersection and came to rest a short distance beyond the intersection.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a Cessna 310L. The pilot-in-command held an Airline Transport Pilot license, was 45 years old, and had accumulated 13,800 total flying hours, including 1,100 hours on the type. The license was valid. The flight was a training operation with two persons on board; no injuries or fatalities occurred.
Meteorological and Aerodrome Information
Weather at the time was fine. The accident site was on Runway 22 at Nelspruit Aerodrome. The last point of departure and the next point of intended landing were both Nelspruit Aerodrome.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the landing gear system revealed that the left-hand main landing gear was not in a proper down and locked condition. Analysis indicated that the rigging of the landing gear retraction/extension system is critical; an out-of-rigging condition can lead to landing gear leg collapse.
Probable Cause
The left-hand main landing gear was not properly down and locked, resulting in its collapse during the landing roll. It is believed that the landing gear retraction/extension system was not in a proper rigged state, preventing the left-hand landing gear from being driven into the over-centre down and locked position.