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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

March 12, 2002 · Cessna 402C · N38CJ

Albuquerque, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 12, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Aircraft
Cessna 402C
Tail Number
N38CJ
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW02LA091

The pilot of the Part 135 cargo flight passed the outer marker and lowered the landing gear with "three greens and everything looked normal." He touched down on the runway at the fixed distance markers, held the nose off the ground, and the "plane felt as if the main gear (RH) was locked and I was riding the brakes." After he released pressure on the rudder, the plane drifted to the right, so the pilot lowered the nose wheel to gain steering control to no avail. Subsequently, the plane continued to drift and the left propeller struck the ground and the nose landing gear collapsed. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left main landing gear had collapsed upon landing. Further examination showed that the left main landing gear Torque Link Assembly P/N 5141005-7 (scissors assembly) had failed. Maintenance had been performed (removed and replaced worn bushings) on the main and nose landing gear scissors assemblies 22.1 hours prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the left main landing gear scissors assembly which resulted from improper maintenance.

Full Narrative

On March 12, 2002, at 0830 mountain standard time, a Cessna 402C airplane, N38CJ, registered to and operated by Aero Charter and Transport of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was substantially damaged when its right main landing gear collapsed while landing on runway 3 at the Albuquerque International Airport, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the Title14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 cargo flight. The flight originated from Show Low, Arizona, at 0740. According to information provided in the enclosed NTSB Pilot/Operator Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot passed the outer marker and lowered the landing gear with "three greens and everything looked normal." He touched down on the runway at the fixed distance markers, held the nose off the ground, and the "plane felt as if the main gear (RH) was locked and I was riding the brakes." After he released pressure on the rudder, the plane drifted to the right, so the pilot lowered the nose wheel to gain steering control to no avail. Subsequently, the plane continued to drift and the left propeller struck the ground and the nose landing gear collapsed, resulting in structural damage to the fuselage. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left main landing gear had collapsed upon landing. Further examination showed that the left main landing gear Torque Link Assembly P/N 5141005-7 (scissors assembly) had failed. A maintenance document provided by the operator dated March 7, 2002, had an annotation, "Item #23", that read, "L/H & R/H main bushings are worn on scissors." The "Corrective Action" section for Item #23 showed and annotation that the old bushings were removed and replaced. The document showed that the nose gear scissors bushings were also removed and replaced. The aircraft total time annotated on this document was 12, 737.2 hours. The aircraft total time at the accident was 12, 759.3 hours, thus the aircraft had flown 22.1 flight hours since the maintenance performed on the landing gear.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 MST
Nearest AirportAlbuquerque International (0nm)
Runway03
Runway Length10000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 402C
Tail NumberN38CJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-VB · Reciprocating · 325
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 48
Altimeter30.20 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data