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NTSB Report

March 24, 2019 · Cessna T310 R · N358MN

Philadelphia, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 24, 2019
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Aircraft
Cessna T310 R (1976)
Tail Number
N358MN
Operator
Keystone Aerial Surveys
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA19CA234

The flight instructor in the retractable-landing gear, multiengine airplane reported that, while performing aerial survey training for a newly hired pilot, the airplane was slowed to the mission airspeed of 117 knots, which meant reduced power and the use of more than 15° of flaps. He added that he then pulled the landing gear warning circuit breaker to silence the landing gear warning horn to ensure clear communication but that he did not pull the landing gear motor circuit breaker. The pilot receiving instruction reported that he did not know that the instructor had pulled the landing gear warning circuit breaker. The instructor further reported that, while returning to the departure airport, the landing checklist was "accomplished" 15 to 20 miles from the airport. He saw that the pilot was "falling behind on power and descent management" and that the airplane was high and fast for the approach. The instructor advised the pilot to correct but then began to assist the pilot when it "was taking longer [than anticipated.]" The airplane decelerated into the white airspeed arc, and the instructor moved the landing gear selector switch into the down position and added full flaps. He added that, because the flaps were added shortly after the landing gear selector switch was put into the down position, he could not tell by the flight characteristics that the landing gear had not extended. Neither he nor the pilot noticed that there was no green down-and-locked position light indicator. The airplane landed with the landing gear retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both engines. The instructor added that, while configuring the airplane on the runway, he observed that the landing gear warning horn and landing gear motor circuit breakers were tripped. The director of maintenance reported that, during a postaccident examination, the airplane was lifted onto jacks and an emergency gear extension and three electrical landing gear retractions were conducted, and no defects were found. In a photograph provided by the flight instructor, the landing gear warning horn and landing gear motor circuit breakers are right next to each other. Despite the instructor's statement that he did not pull the landing gear motor switch, given the proximity of the breakers to each other, it is likely that the pilot inadvertently pulled the landing gear motor switch when he pulled the landing gear warning horn switch, which prevented the gear from extending. The airplane manufacturer's Pilot's Operating Handbook contained a note in the section titled, "Landing Gear Warning Horn," which states, Do not pull landing gear warning circuit breaker to silence horn as this turns off the landing gear control relay, thus the landing gear cannot be retracted.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s and flight instructor's failure to verify that the landing gear were extended, which resulted in a gear-up landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadvertent pulling of the landing gear motor circuit, which prevented the landing gear from extending.

Full Narrative

The flight instructor in the retractable landing gear, multi-engine airplane reported that, while performing aerial survey training for a newly hired pilot, the airplane was slowed to the mission airspeed of 117 knots, which meant reduced power and the use of more than 15° of flaps. He then pulled the circuit breaker to silence the landing gear warning horn to ensure clear communication, but did not pull the landing gear motor circuit breaker. The pilot receiving instruction reported that he did not know that the instructor had pulled the circuit breaker. The flight instructor further reported that, while returning to the departure airport, the landing checklist was "accomplished" 15 to 20 miles from the airport. He observed that the pilot was "falling behind on power and descent management" and the airplane was high and fast for the approach. The instructor advised the pilot to correct but then began to assist the pilot when it "was taking longer [than anticipated.]" The airplane decelerated into the white airspeed arc, and the instructor moved the landing gear selector switch into the down position and added full flaps. He added that, since the flaps were added shortly after the landing gear selector switch was put into the down position, he could not tell by the flight characteristics that the landing gear had not extended. Neither he nor the pilot observed that there was no green down and locked position light indicator. The airplane landed with the landing gear retracted. The flight instructor added that, while configuring the airplane on the runway, he observed that the landing gear warning horn and landing gear motor circuit breakers were tripped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both engines. The director of maintenance reported that, during a postaccident examination, they lifted the airplane onto jacks and performed an emergency gear extension. He added that they then did three electrical landing gear retractions and no defects were found. In a photo provided by the flight instructor, the landing gear warning horn and landing gear motor circuit breakers are immediately next to each other. The airplane manufacturer pilot operating handbook contains a note in section titled "Landing Gear Warning Horn", which states, Do not pull landing gear warning circuit breaker to silence horn as this turns off the landing gear control relay, thus the landing gear cannot be retracted.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 EDT
Nearest AirportNortheast Philadelphia (0nm NE)
Runway24
Runway Length7000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna T310 R
Tail NumberN358MN
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKeystone Aerial Surveys
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-EB · Reciprocating · 300 | Continental · TSIO-520-EB · Reciprocating · 300
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 26 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 19 C
Altimeter30.09 inHg
Observation Time19:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data