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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.

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NTSB Report

April 22, 2014 · Cessna 421 · N866BS

Horseshoe Bay, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 22, 2014
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Horseshoe Bay, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 421 (1968)
Tail Number
N866BS
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN14LA256

The pilot reported that when he lowered the landing gear handle, he heard a loud bang. He stated that the nosewheel landing gear did not appear to be extended and that he could not be see it using the nacelle mirror. In addition, the green landing gear position lights did not illuminate. The pilot went through the emergency checklist and followed the manual landing gear extension procedure. During the landing, the landing gear collapsed and the airplane skidded on the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. An examination revealed that the drive mechanism for the gearbox motor had failed. An examination of the remaining systems revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the drive mechanism for the gearbox motor, which resulted in the gear not extending for the landing.

Full Narrative

On April 22, 2014, at 1500 central daylight time, a Cessna 421 airplane, N866BS, was substantially damaged when the landing gear collapsed while landing at Horseshoe Bay Resort Airport (KDZB), Horseshoe Bay, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot was not injured. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The cross country flight departed San Antonio International Airport (KSAT), San Antonio, Texas, approximately 1400 and was en route to KDZB. The pilot reported that when he lowered the landing gear handle he heard a loud "bang." He stated that the nose wheel landing gear did not appear to be extended and could not be seen using the nacelle mirror. In addition, the green landing gear position lights did not illuminate. The pilot went through the emergency checklist and followed the manual landing gear extension procedure; however, the nose gear did not extend. During the landing to runway 35, the landing gear collapsed and the airplane skidded on the runway with only the nose landing gear extended. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident reported that the bulkhead of the fuselage was substantially damaged. In addition, he stated that the drive mechanism for the gearbox motor had failed. An examination of the remaining systems revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CDT
Nearest AirportHorseshoe Bay Resort Airport (1nm)
Runway35
Runway Length5977 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 421
Tail NumberN866BS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · GTSIO-520-C · Reciprocating · 375 | Cont Motor · GTSIO-520-C · Reciprocating · 375
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.96 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data