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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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October 17, 1986 · Cessna 421C · N49D

Hot Springs, AR

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 17, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Hot Springs, AR
Aircraft
Cessna 421C
Tail Number
N49D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC87LA006

THE PILOT STATED THAT GEAR WENT DOWN NORMALLY, HE HAD THREE GREEN LIGHTS AND THE GEAR WARNING HORN WAS NOT ON AND HE COULD SEE THAT THE NOSE GEAR WAS DOWN BY LOOKING IN THE NACELLE MIRROR. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE WAS LOWERED AND AS IT TOUCHED THE RUNWAY, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. A PRELIMINARY INSPECTION DID NOT INDICATE ANY PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL OR HYDRAULIC PROBLEMS. A FUNCTIONAL TEST OF THE NOSE GEAR ACTUATOR WAS REQUESTED BUT THE UNIT WAS OVERHAULED INSTEAD. IT DID NOT INDICATE ANY SIGNS OF STRESS OR ABNORMAL WEAR. IT WAS APPROVED FOR RETURN TO SERVICE. THE REASON FOR THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT STATED THAT GEAR WENT DOWN NORMALLY, HE HAD THREE GREEN LIGHTS AND THE GEAR WARNING HORN WAS NOT ON AND HE COULD SEE THAT THE NOSE GEAR WAS DOWN BY LOOKING IN THE NACELLE MIRROR. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE WAS LOWERED AND AS IT TOUCHED THE RUNWAY, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. A PRELIMINARY INSPECTION DID NOT INDICATE ANY PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL OR HYDRAULIC PROBLEMS. A FUNCTIONAL TEST OF THE NOSE GEAR ACTUATOR WAS REQUESTED BUT THE UNIT WAS OVERHAULED INSTEAD. IT DID NOT INDICATE ANY SIGNS OF STRESS OR ABNORMAL WEAR. IT WAS APPROVED FOR RETURN TO SERVICE. THE REASON FOR THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 CDT
Nearest AirportMEMORIAL (0nm N)
Runway5
Runway Length6596 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 421C
Tail NumberN49D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · GTSIO-520L · Reciprocating · 375
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 4 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:49
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data