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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

March 2, 2002 · Cessna 421C · N421DG

Hailey, ID

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 2, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Hailey, ID
Aircraft
Cessna 421C
Tail Number
N421DG
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA02LA046

While on approach to the Friedman Memorial airport (Hailey, Idaho), the pilot of the Cessna 421C lowered the landing gear but failed to receive a gear down and locked indication on the right main gear. He attempted to lower the landing gear utilizing the nitrogen blow down system, again without success. The pilot then executed a landing with the nose and left main gear extended. Post-crash examination revealed a small amount of water in the landing gear hydraulic lines. When the landing gear system was purged and replenished with uncontaminated fluid the gear operated without malfunction both normally and with the use of the blow down system. Temperature at Hailey, Idaho, remained well below freezing before and after the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

Water contamination within the aircraft's landing gear hydraulic line(s) which froze and blocked the line(s) preventing extension of the right main gear. A factor was the below freezing environmental conditions which the aircraft was operating in prior to and during the approach and landing.

Full Narrative

On March 1, 2002, at 1936 mountain standard time, a Cessna 421C, N421DG, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a gear up landing on runway 31 at the Friedman Memorial airport, Hailey, Idaho. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and an IFR flight plan had been activated. The flight, which was personal, was operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Santa Monica, California, earlier in the day, and was destined for Hailey. As the aircraft approached Hailey, the pilot reported that he was unable to obtain a down and locked status on the right main landing gear. He then attempted a manual extension of the landing gear using the nitrogen blow down system, but again was unable to get a down and locked indication on the right main gear. The aircraft was landed with the nose and left main gear extended and during the initial landing roll the right wing impacted the runway. An examination and testing of the aircraft's landing gear and associated hydraulic systems was conducted under the oversight of an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) at Boise, Idaho. The hydraulic system was drained and the fluid was captured. Examination of the fluid yielded no particulate contaminants but a small amount of water was found in the fluid. The hydraulic system was subsequently replenished and the aircraft was placed on jacks. The landing gear was then cycled up and down repeatedly with no malfunction noted. The landing gear was then extended utilizing the emergency extension system, again with no malfunction (refer to ATTACHMENT FAA-I). The surface temperature at Friedman airport was well below freezing several hours before and after the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:36 MST
Nearest AirportFriedman Memorial (0nm)
Runway31
Runway Length6602 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 421C
Tail NumberN421DG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · GTSIO-520-L · Reciprocating · 375 | Continental · GTSIO-520-L · Reciprocating · 375
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point16 C / 7 C
Altimeter30.10 inHg
Observation Time02:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data