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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

September 5, 1999 · Cessna 190 · N9872A

Enterprise, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 5, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Enterprise, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 190
Tail Number
N9872A
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL99LA124

After approximately one hour of pleasure flying in the local flying area, the two pilots returned to the departure airport for a full-stop landing. After touchdown, the airplane had rolled several hundred feet, when the pilot felt an unusual sensation in the airframe. At approximately the same time, the left spring leaf landing gear assembly separated from the airframe, and the airplane fell to the ground. The field examination of the fracture face disclosed evidence of a preexisting fracture in the steel material. During the follow-up examination of the fracture face, with the aid of a bench binocular microscope, revealed the presence of at least three small fracture areas typical of fatigue cracking. The origin of the fatigue cracking was damaged during the ultimate separation. The examination also disclosed that the fatigue origin was located in an area that showed fretting damage.

NTSB Probable Cause

The fatigue failure of the main landing gear spring.

Full Narrative

On September 5, 1999, at 1100 central daylight time, a Cessna 190, N9872A, left main landing gear collapsed during a normal landing at the Enterprise Municipal Airport in Enterprise, Alabama. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot and pilot/passenger were not injured. The flight departed Enterprise, Alabama, at 1000. According to the pilot, after approximately one hour of pleasure flying in the local flying area, the two pilots returned to Enterprise. After touchdown, the airplane had rolled several hundred feet, when the pilot felt an unusual sensation in the airframe. At approximately the same time, the left spring leaf landing gear assembly separated from the airframe, and the airplane fell to the ground. The field examination of the fracture face disclosed evidence of a preexisting fracture in the steel material. During the follow-up examination of the fracture face, with the aid of a bench binocular microscope, revealed the presence of at least three small fracture areas typical of fatigue cracking. The width of the fatigue fracture on the surface of the spring was about 0.15 inches. The depth of the fatigue cracking extended to a depth of approximately 0.06 inches. The origin of the fatigue cracking was damaged during the ultimate separation. The examination also disclosed that the fatigue origin was located in an area that showed fretting damage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 CDT
Nearest AirportEnterprise Municipal (0nm)
Runway23
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 190
Tail NumberN9872A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · 67W · Reciprocating · 240
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 76 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 31000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data