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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

June 23, 2002 · Beech BE-58 · N8245H

Farmington, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 23, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Farmington, NM
Aircraft
Beech BE-58
Tail Number
N8245H
Operator
Mesa Airlines Pilot Development
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW02LA189

During the takeoff/initial climb, when the main landing gear retracted a "pop-bang was heard." The two green main landing gear indicator lights and the red in-transit indicator light remained illuminated. The pilot's recycled the landing gear; however, they could not get a down and locked indication for the nose landing gear. During a low approach over the runway, company personnel observed that the nose landing gear was not locked in the down position and was at a 45 degree angle. Subsequently, the nose landing gear collapsed during the landing roll. The nose landing gear plunger assembly, part number 35-825094-4, had accumulated 10,872.5 hours. Stereoscopic and metallurgical examination of the component revealed a fatigue fracture.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the nose landing gear plunger assembly due to fatigue.

Full Narrative

On June 23, 2002, at 1215 mountain daylight time, a Beech BE-58, twin-engine airplane, N8245H, was substantially damaged following the collapse of the nose landing gear during the landing roll at the Four Corners Regional Airport (FMN), near Farmington, New Mexico. The airplane was owned and operated by San Juan Pilot Training, Inc., dba Mesa Airlines Pilot Development, at Farmington, New Mexico, under Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight instructor and the private pilot/multiengine student were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight, for which a company visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed. The local flight departed Farmington at 1100. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) the flight instructor reported that when the main landing gear retracted a "pop-bang was heard." The two green main landing gear indicator lights and the red in-transit indicator light remained illuminated. The pilot's recycled the landing gear; however, they could not get a down and locked indication for the nose landing gear. The pilots established radio communication with the company dispatcher who notified the chief pilot. During a low approach over the active runway, the chief pilot and mechanics observed the nose landing gear was not locked in the down position and was at a 45 degree angle. Subsequently, the nose landing gear collapsed during the landing roll on runway 23 at FMN. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported the failure of the plunger assembly for the nose landing gear. Substantial damage was found at the cabin bulkhead. The operator reported that the nose landing gear plunger assembly, part number 35-825094-4, had accumulated 10,872.5 hours. The nose landing gear plunger assembly was forwarded to the NTSB for examination. The NTSB Investigator-in-Charge (IIC) examined the nose landing gear plunger assembly utilizing the stereoscopic microscope. The nose landing gear plunger assembly was forwarded to Raytheon Aircraft Company, Wichita, Kansas, for metallurgical examination. Metallurgical examinations revealed a fatigue fracture.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 MDT
Nearest AirportFour Corners Regional (0nm N)
Runway23
Runway Length6500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech BE-58
Tail NumberN8245H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMesa Airlines Pilot Development
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-550-C · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 39 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point34 C
Altimeter30.19 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data