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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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February 7, 1994 · Cessna 402C · N2718Y

Billings, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 7, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Billings, MT
Aircraft
Cessna 402C
Tail Number
N2718Y
Operator
Big Sky Transportation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA94LA058

AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT RETRACTED THE LANDING GEAR AND NOTED THAT THE MAIN GEAR LIGHTS WENT OUT BUT THE GEAR LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE PILOT CYCLED THE GEAR WITH THE SAME RESULTS. THE PILOT SELECTED THE GEAR DOWN AND RETURNED FOR LANDING WITH A THREE GREEN INDICATION. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO INDICATE A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION, HOWEVER THE MECHANIC STATED THAT DUE TO THE EXTREME LOW TEMP CONDITIONS THE NOSE GEAR ACTUATOR MAY HAVE FROZEN AND DID NOT ALLOW THE NOSE GEAR TO COMPLETE A FULL RANGE OF TRAVEL TO THE UP LOCK OR DOWN LOCK.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE NOSE GEAR ACTUATOR FROZE. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS TEMPERATURE EXTREMES.

Full Narrative

On February 6, 1994, at 1853 mountain standard time, a Cessna 402C, N2718Y, operating as Big Sky Flight 138, collapsed its nose gear on landing at Billings, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight that was conducted under 14 CFR 135. The airplane was substantially damaged and the two certificated airline transport pilots and the three passengers were not injured. The operator reported that the flight had taken off from Billings at 1835 and was en route to Miles City, Montana, on the scheduled commuter flight. The crew retracted the landing gear at approximately 500 feet and noted the "in transit" light illuminated for the three landing gear. The lights for the main gear went out as normal, however, the nose gear light remained illuminated. The flight crew extended the gear and a three green indication was noted. According to the flight crew statements, they recycled the gear twice with the same indications as before. The crew extended the landing gear and returned for landing at Billings with a three green indication for landing. During the landing roll, the nose gear collapsed. After the airplane was removed from the runway and secured in a hanger, a mechanic inspected the landing gear and reported that the nose gear was not in the down and locked position. The landing gear was then cycled and a down and locked position was noted. The mechanic reported that there was no evidence found to indicate a mechanical failure or malfunction. At the time of the accident, the weather was reported from Billings to be -5 degrees and light snow. The mechanic stated that the nose gear actuator may have froze and did not allow the nose gear to complete a full range of travel to the up lock or down lock position.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:53 MST
Nearest AirportBILLINGS (0nm)
Runway10L
Runway Length10528 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 402C
Tail NumberN2718Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBig Sky Transportation
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-VB · Reciprocating · 325
Seats10

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 43 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind60° @ 13 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 4900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point-6 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data