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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 5, 2023 · Cessna 421C · N880JS

Leesburg, VA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 5, 2023
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Leesburg, VA
Aircraft
Cessna 421C (1979)
Tail Number
N880JS
Operator
Bravo Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA23LA180

The pilot was landing the airplane and reported that as the main landing gear touched down on the runway the airplane immediately veered to the left. The pilot applied right rudder control input but was unable to control the airplane’s direction. The left main landing gear then collapsed as the airplane departed the runway surface and the airplane came to a stop off the left side of the runway. The airplane’s left wing was substantially damaged during the accident. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane after the accident. He observed that the left main landing gear trunnion was cracked and that the strut had separated from the trunnion. The inspector also found that the hardware connecting the scissor link was missing and that the scissor link did not display damage consistent with a shearing action or other abnormal stress. Given this information it is likely that the hardware securing the scissor was not present at the time of the landing, which allowed the left main landing gear wheel to freely castor about the strut, resulting in the loss of directional control at touchdown.

NTSB Probable Cause

Separation of the left man landing gear scissor hardware, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent runway excursion during landing.

Full Narrative

The pilot was landing the airplane and reported that as the main landing gear touched down on the runway the airplane immediately veered to the left. The pilot applied right rudder control input but was unable to control the airplane’s direction. The left main landing gear then collapsed as the airplane departed the runway surface and the airplane came to a stop off the left side of the runway. The airplane’s left wing was substantially damaged during the accident. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane after the accident. He observed that the left main landing gear trunnion was cracked and that the strut had separated from the trunnion. The inspector also found that the hardware connecting the scissor link was missing and that the scissor link did not display damage consistent with a shearing action or other abnormal stress. Given this information it is likely that the hardware securing the scissor was not present at the time of the landing, which allowed the left main landing gear wheel to freely castor about the strut, resulting in the loss of directional control at touchdown.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 EDT
Nearest AirportLeesburg Exec (0nm S)
Runway17
Runway Length5500 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 421C
Tail NumberN880JS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBravo Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · GTSIO-520-L2B · Reciprocating · 375 | Continental · GTSIO-520-L2B · Reciprocating · 375
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class · None
Crew 2None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 15 kt, gusting 23 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point32 C / 32 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data