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NTSB Report

August 31, 1997 · Beech E90 · N16NM

Albuquerque, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 31, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Aircraft
Beech E90
Tail Number
N16NM
Operator
Sb Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW97LA334

During initial climb following takeoff from Santa Rosa on a medical evacuation flight, with a patient and 2 flight nurses aboard, the right main landing gear failed to fully retract. Prior to landing at Albuquerque the right main landing gear did not lock in the down position. During landing roll, the right main landing gear collapsed. Examination of the landing gear provided evidence that the retraction/extension torque tube failed in fatigue.

NTSB Probable Cause

Fatigue failure of the right main landing gear retraction/extension torque tube.

Full Narrative

On August 31, 1997, at 1740 mountain daylight time, a Beech E-90, N16NM, operating as a lifeguard flight from Santa Rosa, New Mexico, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, collapsed the right main landing gear during landing roll at Albuquerque. The airline transport pilot, 2 flight nurses, and the patient were not injured and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed for this Title 14 CFR Part 135 medical flight which departed Santa Rosa, New Mexico, at 1634. According to the pilot, when the landing gear was raised after departure, he heard a grinding noise emitting from under the cabin floor and noted that the "gear in transit" light in the landing gear handle remained illuminated. The pilot said he pulled the landing gear motor circuit breaker and the noise stopped. He then attempted to recycle the gear with negative results. When the landing gear was lowered on arrival at Albuquerque, an unsafe right main landing gear indication was present. The pilot secured the right engine, feathered the right propeller, and made a precautionary landing. During landing roll, the right main landing gear collapsed. As a result of the right main landing gear collapse, the right wing sustained buckling damage. Examination of the right main landing gear by a FAA airworthiness inspector provided evidence of a failure of the torque tube assembly (part number 50-810240). No other deficiencies were noted during the examination. The part had a total of 5,616 cycles since factory overhaul and had been in service approximately 3.5 years. The part is required to be overhauled at 7,500 cycles or 5 years whichever occurs first. The affected part was removed and sent to the Board's Materials Laboratory. According to the laboratory analysis, the torque tube failed in fatigue. The origin of the fatigue could not be determined. The aircraft has since been repaired and returned to service with no further difficulties noted.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:40 MDT
Nearest AirportAlbuquerque International (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length10000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech E90
Tail NumberN16NM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSb Aviation
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-28 · Turboprop · 550
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 48 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 9000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data