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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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September 26, 2001 · Colonial C-2 · N273B

Faribault, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 26, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Faribault, MN
Aircraft
Colonial C-2
Tail Number
N273B
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI01LA330

The airplane was damaged when the right main landing gear collapsed during landing. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right main landing gear air-oil shock absorber (oleo) was broken. Further examination revealed that the end cap of the oleo was separated from the outer tube of the oleo. The end cap was held in place by two bolts, 180 degrees apart, inserted radially through the outer tube. The bolts were then threaded into the machined end cap. The holes in the outer tube were elongated and torn out to the end of the tube. Further examination revealed a second set of holes through the outer tube about 90 degrees to the first set of holes. The second set of holes also revealed elongation of the holes. According to the airplane owner, the right oleo was an original part. The left strut had been replaced with a new strut since the airplane was manufactured in 1959. According to the airplane type certificate holder, it is an approved repair procedure to rotate the outer tube of the oleo and drill a second set of holes when elongation of the first set is discovered.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the landing gear shock strut.

Full Narrative

On September 26, 2001, about 1830 central daylight time, a Colonial C-2, N273B, piloted by an airline transport pilot, sustained substantial damage when the landing gear collapsed during landing on runway 20 (2,230 feet by 140 feet, turf) at the Faribault Municipal Airport, Faribault, Minnesota. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not on a flight plan and was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No injuries were reported. The local flight originated about 1800. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right main landing gear air-oil shock absorber (oleo) was broken. Further examination revealed that the end cap of the oleo was separated from the outer tube of the oleo. The end cap was held in place by two bolts, 180 degrees apart, inserted radially through the outer tube. The bolts were then threaded into the machined end cap. The holes in the outer tube were elongated and torn out to the end of the tube. Further examination revealed a second set of holes through the outer tube about 90 degrees to the first set of holes. The second set of holes also revealed elongation of the holes. According to the airplane owner, the right oleo was an original part. The left strut had been replaced with a new strut since the airplane was manufactured in 1959. According to the airplane type certificate holder, it is an approved repair procedure to rotate the outer tube of the oleo and drill a second set of holes when elongation of the first set is discovered.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 CDT
Nearest AirportFaribault Muni (0nm N)
Runway20
Runway Length2230 ft
Runway Width140 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftColonial C-2
Tail NumberN273B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 37 C
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time18:36
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data