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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

January 21, 2018 · Cessna 172RG · N9415B

Martinsburg, WV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 21, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Martinsburg, WV
Aircraft
Cessna 172RG (1981)
Tail Number
N9415B
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA18LA067

The flight instructor stated that he and the private pilot were about to make their seventh landing, but when the pilot extended the gear, the gear down-and-locked light did not illuminate. A visual check revealed that the nose gear was extended but the main gear was not fully extended. The flight instructor used the emergency gear handle to try and pump the main gear down, but there was insufficient hydraulic pressure in the system. The flight instructor landed the airplane with the nosewheel extended, but the airplane’s left wing dropped, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and the elevator. After exiting the airplane, hydraulic fluid was observed pooling under the airplane and along the side of the empennage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that an O-ring inside the right gear actuator failed and was leaking hydraulic fluid. Because the landing gear is extended/retracted by hydraulic pressure, the leak likely prevented the system from having adequate pressure for the electric pump and the manual gear handle to extend the gear.

NTSB Probable Cause

A hydraulic leak in the right main landing gear actuator, which resulted in the main landing gear not extending.

Full Narrative

On January 21, 2018, at 1304 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172RG airplane, N9415B, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport (MRB), Martinsburg, West Virginia. The flight instructor and the private pilot were not injured. The airplane was registered to Dulles Aviation, Manassas, Virginia, and operated by Av-Ed Flight School, Leesburg, Virginia, as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated from Leesburg Executive Airport (JYO), Leesburg, Virginia, about 1130. The flight instructor stated that the purpose of the flight was to practice commercial pilot maneuvers and landings. The flight was normal, and they had completed about six short and soft-field takeoffs and landings without incident. On the seventh landing, after the private pilot extended the landing gear, the gear down-and-locked light did not illuminate. A visual check revealed that the nose gear was extended but the main gear was trailing and not fully extended. The flight instructor said they used the manual emergency gear handle to try and pump the main gear down, but there was not enough hydraulic pressure in the system to extend the gear. The flight instructor then landed the airplane with the nose wheel still extended. He said he was able to keep the airplane straight for about 600 ft, but the airplane's left wing dropped resulting in substantial damage to the wing and elevator. After exiting the airplane, hydraulic fluid was observed pooling under the airplane and along the side of the empennage. The hydraulic reservoir was empty. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that an O-ring had failed internally inside the right gear actuator and it was leaking hydraulic fluid. Since the landing gear is extended/retracted by hydraulic pressure, the leak prevented the system from having adequate pressure for the electric pump and the manual gear handle to extend the gear. At 1306, the weather conditions reported at MRB were calm wind, visibility 10 statute miles, scattered clouds at 3,900 ft, overcast clouds at 7,500 ft, temperature 13° C, dewpoint 5° C, and an altimeter setting of 30.12 inches of mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:04 EST
Nearest AirportEastern West Virginia Regional (0nm N)
Runway26
Runway Length8815 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172RG
Tail NumberN9415B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 F · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 57 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 7500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 41 C
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time18:06
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data