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NTSB Report

June 21, 2011 · Cessna 320F · N6160Q

Phoenix, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 21, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 320F
Tail Number
N6160Q
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR11LA292

The pilot reported that while conducting a preflight inspection of the airplane he observed that the left main landing gear strut appeared low. He contacted a maintenance facility to service the strut and to fill the oxygen bottle. Once maintenance was finished, the pilot and passengers loaded the airplane and departed. During the initial climb, the pilot heard a noise as he raised the landing gear handle; he visually checked the landing gear and observed that the nose landing gear was partially retracted. He cycled the landing gear multiple times; however, there was no change in the landing gear's position. The pilot elected to land the airplane on the runway with the nose gear partially retracted. During the landing, the pilot kept the airplane slow with the nose gear off of the ground as long as possible. When the nose gear contacted the runway, the airplane skidded to a stop. A postaccident examination of the airframe by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the landing gear actuator push-pull tube end bolt was still secured tightly to the rod end; however, it was disconnected from the nose gear door hinge clevis. No damage was noted to the rod end bolt or the clevis, ruling out a mechanical impact-related force separating the two. The maintenance technician who worked on the airplane noted that he had the nose gear doors disconnected to gain access to the oxygen bottle valve and control cable and, after filling the bottle, thought he had reconnected both doors. He said that he normally installs the bolt and nut back into the actuating rod end finger-tight so he does not lose them. Inspection of the left gear door actuating rod revealed the bolt and nut run up tight against the rod end, requiring a wrench to do so.

NTSB Probable Cause

The mechanic's failure to properly secure the nose landing gear actuator push-pull tube to the landing gear door hinge clevis, which resulted in the gear jamming and not fully retracting after takeoff.

Full Narrative

On June 21, 2011, about 0925 mountain standard time, a Cessna 320F, N6160Q, made a precautionary landing on runway 7R at the Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT), Phoenix, Arizona following a partial retraction of the nose landing gear. The pilot/owner operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the nose landing gear wheel well and keel. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that during the preflight he observed that the airplane's left main landing gear strut was low. He contacted a maintenance facility to service the strut and to fill the oxygen bottle. Once the maintenance was finished, the pilot and passengers loaded the airplane and tookoff. During the initial climb, the pilot heard a noise while raising the landing gear handle; he looked at a mirror located on the inboard side of the left engine cowling and observed that the nose landing gear was partially retracted. He attempted to cycle the landing gear through the normal procedures and then through the manual procedures, but the nose gear did not change position. The pilot then elected to land the airplane on the runway with the nose gear partially retracted. He approached the runway at a slow speed and as the main landing gear touched down, the pilot held the nose wheel off the ground as long as possible. When the airspeed bled off, the nose of the airplane came down and made contact with the runway and the airplane skidded to a stop. During a post accident examination of the airplane, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector observed that the landing gear actuator push pull tube end bolt was still secured tightly to the rod end, however, it was disconnected from the nose gear door hinge clevis bolt. No damage was noted to the rod end bolt or the clevis bolt. The FAA inspector further reported that he spoke with the airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic who conducted the maintenance on the airplane the day of the accident. It was reported that the nose landing gear doors had to be disconnected to gain access to the oxygen bottle valve and control cable. The A&P mechanic reported that he remembers tightening the gear doors, but he must have not secured it to the clevis bolt.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:25 MST
Nearest AirportPhoenix Deer Valley Airport (0nm)
Runway07L
Runway Length8197 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 320F
Tail NumberN6160Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · IO 520 SERIES · Reciprocating · 285 | Cont Motor · IO 520 SERIES · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point27 C
Altimeter29.78 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data