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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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March 20, 2014 · Cessna 421 B · N5929M

Charleston, SC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 20, 2014
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Charleston, SC
Aircraft
Cessna 421 B (1972)
Tail Number
N5929M
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA14LA170

The commercial pilot was concluding a personal flight with two passengers on board. The pilot reported that, during the landing roll and after a normal touchdown on the concrete runway, the right main landing gear (MLG) collapsed. The airplane then veered right and struck two runway lights, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing rear spar. Examination of the airplane revealed that the right MLG down-lock bellcrank was fractured and had separated from its respective trunnion. The bellcrank bolt was sheared at the bolt head, consistent with overload. The upper end of the bellcrank remained attached to the outboard push-pull tube. The lower end of the bellcrank, which attached to the rod end fitting at the lower side link, was broken, consistent with a ductile tension failure. The fracture location was consistent with additional stress that would have been placed on the bellcrank if the landing gear was not properly rigged; however, damage to the landing gear precluded the ability to functionally check or verify whether the gear was properly rigged. Review of maintenance records revealed that the airplane had been operated for about 4 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed about 2 months before the accident. At that time, maintenance, including the adjustment of the right MLG travel, was performed on the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Runway/taxi/approach light-Contributed to outcome

Full Narrative

On March 20, 2014, about 1205 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 421B, N5929M, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged while landing at the Charleston International Airport, Charleston, South Carolina. The commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight that departed the Jim Hamilton L.B. Owens Airport, Columbia, South Carolina. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane was landing on runway 3, a 7,000-foot-long, 150-foot-wide, concrete runway. The pilot reported that he confirmed the three landing gear indicators were "in the green" while on approach, and that he performed a normal touchdown. As the airplane began the landing roll, the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane then veered to the right and struck two runway lights, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing rear spar. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that the right main landing gear down lock bellcrank was fractured and had separated from its respective trunnion. The bellcrank bolt remained installed; however, it was sheared at the bolt head consistent with overload. The trunnion forward attach point for the bellcrank was broken and not recovered. The upper end of the bellcrank remained attached to the outboard push-pull tube. The lower end of the bellcrank which attached to the rod end fitting at the lower side link was broken consistent with a ductile tension failure. Damage to the landing gear precluded the ability to functionally check or verify the landing gear system rigging. According to a representative from Cessna, the fracture location was consistent with the additional stresses that would have been placed on the bellcrank with the landing gear having not been properly rigged. Review of maintenance records revealed that the airplane had been operated for about 4 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed on January 2, 2014. At that time, maintenance was performed on the airplane which included adjustment of the right main landing gear travel.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:05 EDT
Nearest AirportCharleston Afb/Intl (0nm E)
Runway03
Runway Length7000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 421 B
Tail NumberN5929M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · GTSIO-520-C · Reciprocating · 374 | Cont Motor · GTSIO-520-C · Reciprocating · 375
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 61 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point15 C / 12 C
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time15:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data