Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

June 3, 2010 · Beech C90 · N20

Fort Worth, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 3, 2010
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Fort Worth, TX
Aircraft
Beech C90
Tail Number
N20
Operator
Federal Aviation Administration Asw-280
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN10LA302

As the landing gear was extended, the flightcrew heard a loud "bang" and observed a “Gear Unsafe” indication. After making a low pass, tower personnel reported that the main gear appeared to be down but that the nose gear was only partially extended. The certificated flight instructor raised the landing gear and made another low pass. Tower personnel said the main gear was up, but the nose gear was still only partially extended. The flightcrew elected to return to their home base and land. As speed dissipated, the nose gear folded and the airplane slid to a stop. A postaccident examination revealed that the nose gear actuator had failed due to insufficient lubrication of the nut assembly threads. The manufacturer recommends that the actuator be overhauled or replaced every 8000 cycles, or 6 years, whichever occurs first. At this time, the screw and nut assembly is to be greased. The failed actuator had accrued 1,576 cycles and 951.2 hours time-in-service. The maintenance manual does not require in-service lubrication of landing gear actuator.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the nose gear actuator due to insufficient lubrication of the nut assembly threads.

Full Narrative

On June 3, 2010, approximately 1430 central daylight time, a Beech C90, N20, registered to and operated by the Federal Aviation Administration, was substantially damaged when the nose landing gear collapsed on landing at Alliance Fort Worth Airport (AFW), Fort Worth, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The training flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The two pilots on board the airplane were not injured. The local flight originated at 1305 from AFW. The purpose of the flight was to maintain inspector currency. After completion of air work, the airplane proceeded to Waco (ACT), Texas, where takeoffs and landings were to be made. As the landing gear was extended during the first approach, the crew heard a loud "bang" and observed a GEAR UNSAFE indication. After making a low pass ACT tower reported the main gear appeared to be down, but the nose gear was only partially extended. The instructor raised the landing gear and made another low pass. Tower personnel said the main gear was up, but the nose gear was still only partially extended. The crew returned to AFW and, after consulting with FSDO, Oklahoma City maintenance, and Hawker Beechcraft, the decision was made to land the airplane on runway 34L. As speed dissipated, the nose gear folded and the airplane slid to a stop. The nose wheel bulkhead was damaged. Post-accident examination revealed the nose gear actuator (p/n 50-820208-5, s/n 93963) had failed. The actuator was sent to Aerospace Turbine Rotables, Inc., Wichita, Kansas, where it was disassembled and examined. According to their Teardown and Inspection Report, “The most probable root cause of the actuator failure was relevant to insufficient lubrication of the nut assembly threads.” According to FAA, Hawker Beechcraft maintenance manual does not require in-service lubrication of landing gear actuator. The mechanical actuator is suppose to be overhauled or replaced every 8000 cycles, or 6 years, whichever occurs first. During this time, the screw and nut assembly is to be greased. FAA said that the actuator on N20 accrued 1,576 and 951.2 hours time-in-service before it failed. Hawker Beechcraft confirmed that there was no requirement for lubricating the landing gear actuator. Consequently, the company reported it had implemented a change to the King Air maintenance manual that will include a lubrication requirement for the screw and nut assembly.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 CDT
Nearest AirportFort Worth Alliance (0nm)
Runway34L
Runway Length8220 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech C90
Tail NumberN20
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFederal Aviation Administration Asw-280
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney Canada · PT6A-21 · Turboprop · 550
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 71 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 68 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.75 inHg
Observation Time19:40
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data