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June 23, 2011 · Cessna 182F · N3152U

Warrenton, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 23, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Warrenton, VA
Aircraft
Cessna 182F
Tail Number
N3152U
Operator
Aivcon
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA11LA357

According to the pilot, as he taxied the airplane to the runway for takeoff, the left main landing gear collapsed. Examination revealed that the left main landing gear had fractured and completely separated from the airplane about 6 inches outboard of its attachment point at the airframe. Examination of the fracture surface on the section of landing gear leg that remained attached to the airframe revealed features consistent with fatigue failure. Examination of the underside of the landing gear leg in an area directly adjacent to the fatigue zone revealed multiple corrosion pits. The manufacturer's maintenance guidance called for visual inspection of the landing gear every 100 hours, and the maintenance manual included information specific to corrosion control on the landing gear legs.

NTSB Probable Cause

The fatigue failure of the left main landing gear due to inadequate maintenance inspection that did not detect and correct corrosion pitting.

Full Narrative

On June 23, 2011, about 1130 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182F, N3152U, was substantially damaged after a landing-gear collapse during taxi at Warrenton Airpark (7VG0), Warrenton, Virginia. The certificated airline transport pilot and 4 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local skydiving flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, as he taxied the airplane to the runway for takeoff, the left main landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. Examination revealed the left main landing gear had fractured, and completely separated from the airplane approximately six inches outboard of its attachment point at the airframe. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot, held an airline transport pilot certificate for airplane multiengine land. He also held a commercial pilot certificate for airplane single engine land. In addition, he held a flight instructor certificate, a ground instructor certificate and a flight engineer certificate. His most recent first-class medical certificate application was dated January 28, 2011, but it was denied. He reported 7,200 total hours of flight experience on that date. According to FAA records, an airworthiness certificate was issued for the airplane in 1962. It was a four-seat, high-wing, fixed conventional gear airplane that was equipped with a Continental O-470 engine. The most recent annual inspection was completed November 26, 2010, at 2,679 total aircraft hours. At the time of the accident the airplane accumulated approximately 2,724.6 total flight hours. A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) materials specialist subsequently examined the left main landing gear segments in the operator’s hangar. His preliminary examination revealed that the fracture surface on the separated landing gear leg was smeared during the accident sequence. The segment that remained attached to the airframe displayed a “pristine” fracture, which revealed features consistent with fatigue failure. A detailed examination at the NTSB Materials Laboratory, Washington, DC, confirmed the failure due to fatigue. Examination of the underside of the landing gear strut in an area directly adjacent to the fatigue zone, revealed multiple corrosion pits. The Cessna Maintenance Manual (Model 100 Series (1963-68) Section 2 Ground Handling, Servicing, Lubrication and Inspection) included criteria to visually inspect the “Main gear wheels, wheel bearings, step and spring strut, tires, and fairings” every 100 hours. In July 2007, “Section 5 Landing Gear” of the maintenance manual was revised and included information that concerned “Corrosion Control on Landing Gear Springs." Additionally, the Cessna continued airworthiness program included criteria “To inspect main landing gear spring outboard support for corrosion” every 1,000 hours or 3 years.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 EDT
Nearest AirportWarrenton Air Park (0nm)
Runway22
Runway Length2215 ft
Runway Width70 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182F
Tail NumberN3152U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAivcon
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · O-470 SERIES · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 43 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 11000 ft
Altimeter29.79 inHg
Observation Time15:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data