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NTSB Report

July 6, 2004 · Beech 1900D · N87SK

Milwaukee, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
July 6, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (19 uninjured)
Location
Milwaukee, WI
Aircraft
Beech 1900D
Tail Number
N87SK
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
CHI04IA178

The scheduled domestic air carrier flight received minor damage during landing rollout when the left main landing gear rotated. Metallurgical examination revealed the landing gear fractured at the base of the lug where preexisting fatigue cracks were present. The material composition and hardness were within specifications. The only nonconformity noted was the lug radii were smaller than drawing specifications.

NTSB Probable Cause

The fatigue fracture of the left main landing gear during landing roll.

Full Narrative

On July 6, 2004, at 1010 central daylight time, a Beech 1900D, N87SK, operated by Skyway Airlines Inc., as flight 1851, received minor damage during landing roll when the left main landing gear rotated at General Mitchell International Airport (MKE), Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the incident. The 14 CFR Part 121 passenger flight was operating on an instrument rules flight plan. The 2 flight crew members and 17 passengers deplaned on the runway, and no injuries were reported. The airplane was then towed to the hanger. The flight originated from Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Grand Rapids, Michigan, at 1025 eastern daylight time, and en route to MKE. The main landing gear socket assembly and piston (part number 114-810021-607) and scissors with upper and lower torque link (part number 101-810032-5) were examined by the National Transportation Safety Board's Materials Laboratory. A report of the examination is available within the docket of this report. The socket assembly was fractured in two pieces at the base of the lug that connects the socket assembly to the scissors. The fracture propagated all around the base of the lug into the bolt hole that goes through the piston, and continued down on the right side to within approximately 0.5 inches of the axle. Both lower corners of the lug appeared to have the original contour though localized impact damage was present from contact with the scissors. The fracture initiated from pre-existing fatigue regions at both the left and right radii at the base of the lug. Both sleeves that insert inside the pinhole into the lug were relatively undamaged with no evidence of looseness in the joint. Examination of the fracture surfaces revealed that at the right side of the lug two separate fatigue regions with multiple origins were observed. One of these regions was approximately 0.45 inch wide by 0.025 inch deep, while the other region was approximately 1.1 inch wide by 0.020 inch deep. The fatigue regions covered approximately 5% of the cross-sectional area at this location. On the left radius, a single larger fatigue region with multiple origins approximately 2.2 inch wide by 0.025 inch deep was observed. The fatigue region covered approximately 10% of the cross-sectional area at this location. All fatigue regions were in the lug base radius and propagated in a flat plane normal to the surface. Beyond the fatigue region the fracture surface was typical of overstress fracture. Energy dispersive spectroscopy of the base metal revealed the base was consistent with the drawing requirement of 7075 aluminum. The average macroscopic hardness of the lug was 88 Rockwell Hardness B Scale (HRB), above the required hardness of 78 HRB minimum for 7075-T73 per Aerospace Material Specification (AMS) 2658. The average conductivity was measured on an as-cut surface as being 39.4% International Annealed Copper Standard, within the acceptable range of 38.0 - 43.0% per AMS. The radius on the right side lug was measured using a Smart-Cope optical measuring machine in multiple locations. The radius ranged between 0.025 and 0.029 inch; the requirement was 0.120 inch (nominal). The main landing gear assembly accumulated a total time of 7,362.3 hours and 9,167 cycles. The Federal Aviation Administration and Skyway Airlines Inc. were parties to the investigation.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time10:10 CDT
Nearest AirportGeneral Mitchell International (0nm)
Runway25L
Runway Length8012 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 1900D
Tail NumberN87SK
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · PT6A-67D · Turboprop · 1281
Seats21

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (19 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured19
Total19
Crew 1Age 31 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 43 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.79 inHg
Observation Time14:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data