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April 12, 2013 · Beech 95-C55 · N153NL

Santa Monica, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 12, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Santa Monica, CA
Aircraft
Beech 95-C55
Tail Number
N153NL
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR13LA189

After touchdown and deceleration, as the airplane began to exit the runway, its left brake locked and the tire deflated. Shortly thereafter, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane spun about the left wing. A postaccident examination revealed that the left brake appeared normal and released properly, and the left main gear turned normally while the airplane was towed. However, the left main tire had a flat spot and had been worn completely through the tread and plies, indicative of the wheel being locked during the landing roll. The left main tire subsequently deflated and the left main landing gear collapsed, which resulted in the airplane veering sharply left during the turn to exit the runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

The left main wheel locking up during the landing roll, which resulted in the deflation of the tire, the left main landing gear collapse, and the subsequent loss of control during the runway exit.

Full Narrative

On April 12, 2013, about 1335 Pacific daylight time, a Beechcraft 95-C55 Baron, N153NL, was on the landing roll when the left main landing gear collapsed at the Santa Monica Municipal Airport, Santa Monica, California. Schuster Aviation LLC, owned and operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot and passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot departed Montgomery Field Airport, San Diego, California, about 1245, with a planned destination of Santa Monica. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.The pilot stated that after he landed on runway 21, the airplane's ground speed decelerated to about 15 to 25 knots. As he prepared to exit the runway, the airplane's left brake locked and the tire deflated. Shortly thereafter, the left main landing gear collapsed and the airplane spun about the left wing. The pilot opined that the landing gear collapsed as a result of the tire's debris interfering with the system. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, an Air Traffic Controller observed the airplane during the landing rollout. He stated that white smoke was emitting from the left main landing gear and when the airplane was turning off the runway, the left gear collapsed and the wing dipped to the ground. The airplane came to rest in the safety area near the end of runway 21. Following the accident, the airplane was manually lifted on jacks and a temporary brace was installed on the left main retract assembly to enable the airplane to be towed. According to the FAA inspector, the left main tire had a flat spot and was worn completely through the tread and plies, indicative of a locked wheel condition during landing/rollout. A post accident examination revealed that the left brake appeared normal and released properly, and the left main turned normally while the airplane was towed. He further stated that based on the observed physical and photographic evidence, the left main tire was locked up during the landing/braking/rollout resulting in the airplane veering sharply left during the rollout. The inspector opined that the left main gear collapsed likely due to the side loads from the sharp left turn at speed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:35 PDT
Nearest AirportSanta Monica Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length4973 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 95-C55
Tail NumberN153NL
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 (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.84 inHg
Observation Time20:30
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data