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NTSB Report

August 29, 2017 · Cessna 560XL Encore · N503UP

San Jose, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
August 29, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
San Jose, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 560XL Encore (2003)
Tail Number
N503UP
Operator
Wheels Up
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
WPR17IA189

The pilot and copilot reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane bounced and then veered right and that the pilot then corrected back to the runway centerline. The copilot added that the airplane’s right side seemed to “dip” as it continued to pull right, and the pilot added that the airplane’s right side was lower than its left side, so they assumed that the right main landing gear (MLG) had a flat tire. Subsequently, the pilot was able to taxi the airplane off the runway and park it on a taxiway, and the passengers disembarked without incident. Examination of the airplane revealed that the aft portion of the right MLG trunnion was protruding through the top of the right wing and that the MLG strut and wheel were positioned out and aft in about a 45° angle from their original position. The right MLG trunnion aft pivot pin was not in the trunnion but remained in the trunnion mount in the aft wing spar; it was easily removed from the mount by hand. The retaining bolt used to keep the pivot pin in the trunnion was in place and secured with a nut and cotter pin. Review of the airplane’s maintenance records revealed that the left and right MLG trunnions had been replaced with new trunnions and trunnion pivot pins 8 days before the incident. The mechanic who performed the work stated that, after installing the right MLG aft trunnion pivot pin, it must have shifted aft when he went to install the bolt through the pin. He stated that an “air-pocket” must have developed and pushed the pin back out. He added that the pin looked fully engaged and that he noted no faults during postmaintenance operational checks. Therefore, based on the evidence, it is likely that, after the mechanic installed the right MLG aft trunnion pivot pin, it backed out, which led to the retaining bolt not being installed in the hole in the pivot pin and resulted in the pin separating from the trunnion, the trunnion puncturing the right wing, and the right MLG collapsing. Following the incident, the airplane manufacturer revised the trunnion pivot pin installation procedures in the Airplane Maintenance Manual. The revision included, in part, a step for maintenance personnel to visually check and ensure that the bolt is visible when looking through the pivot pin from the aft side and that, if it is not visible, to remove it, ensure that the pivot pin is fully installed in the trunnion assembly, and reinstall the bolt.

NTSB Probable Cause

The mechanic’s incorrect installation of the right main landing gear (MLG) aft trunnion pivot pin, which resulted in the pin separating from the trunnion, the trunnion puncturing the right wing, and the right MLG collapsing.

Full Narrative

On August 28, 2017, about 1900 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 560XL airplane, N503UP, received minor damage to the right wing when it was involved in an incident near San Jose, California. The pilot, copilot, and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 air taxi flight. The pilot and copilot reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane bounced and then veered right and that the pilot corrected back to the runway centerline. The copilot added that the airplane’s right side seemed to “dip” as it continued to pull right, and the pilot added that the airplane’s right side was lower than its left side, so they assumed that the right main landing gear (MLG) had a flat tire. Subsequently, the pilot was able to taxi the airplane off the runway and park it on a taxiway, and the passengers disembarked without incident. Examination of the airplane revealed that the aft portion of the right MLG trunnion was protruding through the top of the wing and that the MLG strut and wheel were positioned out and aft in about a 45° angle from their original position. The right MLG trunnion aft pivot pin was not in the trunnion but remained in the trunnion mount in the aft wing spar; it was easily removed from the mount by hand. The retaining bolt used to keep the pivot pin in the trunnion was in place and secured with a nut and cotter pin. Review of the airplane’s maintenance records revealed that the left and right MLG trunnions had been replaced with new trunnions and trunnion pivot pins 8 days before the incident. According to the Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM), when installing the aft MLG trunnion, the pivot pin must be slid forward to align a hole in the trunnion with a hole in the pivot pin, which is then secured in place with a retaining bolt, washer, nut, and cotter pin. The mechanic who performed the work stated that, after installing the right MLG aft trunnion pivot pin, it must have shifted aft when he went to install the bolt through the pin. He stated that an “air-pocket” must have developed and pushed the pin back out. He added that the pin looked fully engaged and that he noted no faults during postmaintenance operational checks. Following the incident, the airplane manufacturer revised the trunnion pivot pin installation procedures in the Airplane Maintenance Manual. The revision included, in part, a step for maintenance personnel to visually check and ensure that the bolt is visible when looking through the pivot pin from the aft side and that, if it is not visible, to remove it, ensure that the pivot pin is fully installed in the trunnion assembly, and reinstall the bolt.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time19:00 PDT
Nearest AirportNorman Y Mineta San Jose Intl (0nm SE)
Runway30L
Runway Length11000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 560XL Encore
Tail NumberN503UP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorWheels Up
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsP&W Canada · PW545 SER · Turbojet · 0 | P&W Canada · PW545 SER · Turbojet · 0

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 49 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 49 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter29.79 inHg
Observation Time01:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data