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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

December 9, 1998 · Cessna 310C · N218S

Ft Myers, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 9, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Ft Myers, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 310C
Tail Number
N218S
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL99LA032

During his preflight inspection of the airplane the pilot did not notice that the nose gear strut had collapsed and was not fully extended. After takeoff the landing gear retraction was normal. When the pilot arrived at the destination airport, the pilot lowered the landing gear handle, completed the before landing check, but did not confirm cockpit indications of the landing gear position. The airplane touched down with the nose gear in the retracted position. Examination of the landing gear system revealed that the nose gear strut failed to extend in the wheel well and interfered with the right hand nose gear door.

NTSB Probable Cause

The inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane by the pilot and subsequent malfunction of the nose gear strut, and the pilot's failure to follow the landing checklist.

Full Narrative

On December 9, 1998, at 1821 Eastern Standard Time, a Cessna 310C, N218S, registered to a private individual, landed with the landing gear retracted at Page Field, in Fort Myers, Florida. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. A review of weather data from the nearest reporting facility revealed that visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. An examination of the airplane at the accident site, by an Airworthiness Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, disclosed that the airframe sustained substantial structural damage to the underside of the airframe. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight departed Daytona Beach, Florida, at 1700. According to the pilot, during his preflight inspection of the airplane he did not notice that the nose gear strut had collapsed and was not fully extended. After takeoff the landing gear retraction was normal. When the pilot arrived at the destination airport, the pilot lowered the landing gear handle, during the before landing check, but did not confirm cockpit indications of the landing gear position. The pilot reported that the gear warning horn sounded seconds prior to touchdown. The airplane touched down with the nose gear in the retracted position. Examination of the landing gear system revealed that the nose gear strut failed to extend in the wheel well and interfered with the right hand nose gear door. Maintenance and service information on the nose wheel strut was not available. The airplane was last inspected on February 7, 1998. The before landing checklist instructs the pilot to check the landing gear down and lock indicators.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:21 EST
Nearest AirportPaige Field (0nm)
Runway5
Runway Length6401 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 310C
Tail NumberN218S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540 · Reciprocating · 290
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data