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December 12, 2009 · Cessna 310 · N2640C

Pasco, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 12, 2009
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Pasco, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 310
Tail Number
N2640C
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR10LA090

The pilot reported that after departure he retracted the landing gear and the cabin heater simultaneously failed. He slowed the airplane and extended the landing gear in an effort to see if it would have an effect on the heater. After noting no change, he attempted to retract the landing gear again. There was no apparent movement in the landing gear position and the cockpit light was illuminated green in indication that the landing gear were down. He attempted to troubleshoot the problem to no avail. He maneuvered the airplane over the airport, where ground personnel confirmed that the landing gear were extended with the exception of the right main, which was retracted, but with the gear door extended. After numerous failed attempts to force the right main landing gear to extend, the pilot opted to land the airplane with all the landing gear in the retracted position. The airplane touched down in a tail-low attitude and settled onto the runway. Post accident examination revealed that the rod end of the up-lock push-pull tube on the right main landing gear had failed. According to the airplane manufacturer, the rod end of the tube was broken in tension overload, which is typically a result of improper rigging or a fatigue failure.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Main landing gear-Failure - C

Full Narrative

On December 11, 2009, about 1600 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 310, N2640C, experienced a landing gear system failure and landed with the landing gear retracted at Tri-Cities Airport, Pasco, Washington. The front seated passenger owned the airplane and was operating it under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot and three passengers were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight departed from Prosser Airport, Prosser, Washington, about 1350, with a planned destination of Moses Lake, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that after departure he retracted the landing gear and the cabin heater simultaneously failed. He slowed the airplane and extended the landing gear in an effort to see if it would have an effect on the heater. After noting no change, he attempted to retract the landing gear again. There was no movement in the landing gear position and the cockpit light was illuminated green in indication that the landing gear were down. He attempted to troubleshoot the problem to no avail. The pilot further stated that he maneuvered the airplane over the airport, where ground personnel confirmed that the landing gear were extended with the exception of the right main, which was retracted with the gear door extended. During a manual retraction attempt he discovered that the gear handle would not rotate. After numerous failed attempts to force the right main landing gear to extend, he opted to fly to Pasco and land the airplane with all the landing gear in the retracted position. The airplane touched down in a tail-low attitude and settled onto the runway; bulkhead damage was incurred as a result of the landing. Post accident examination revealed that the rod end of the up-lock push-pull tube on the right main landing gear had failed. The part was disposed of prior to the Safety Board having an opportunity to perform an examination. According to a representative from Cessna Aircraft Company, who viewed detailed photographs of the subject push-pull tube, the rod end was broken in tension overload. He further stated that those failures are typically a result of improper rigging, although could be a result of fatigue failure.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 PST
Nearest AirportTri-Cities Airport (0nm)
Runway30
Runway Length7703 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 310
Tail NumberN2640C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · O-470 SERIES · Reciprocating · 230 | Cont Motor · O-470 SERIES · Reciprocating · 230
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / -4 C
Altimeter30.09 inHg
Observation Time23:47
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data