Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX92LA138

LONG BEACH, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N1362C

CESSNA 340A

Analysis

ATCT CONTROLLERS REPORTED THE AIRCRAFT MADE A NORMAL LANDING AND HAD SLOWED TO A FAST WALK SPEED IN PREPARATION FOR MAKING A 90 DEGREE TURN OFF THE RUNWAY. AS THE AIRCRAFT TURNED, THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXAMINED BY AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR WHO REPORTED THAT THE PIVOT BOLT FOR THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR DOWN LOCK BELL CRANK HAD FAILED, WHICH ALLOWED THE BELL CRANK TO SHIFT AND BREAK THE ROD END FITTING. WITHOUT THE DOWN LOCK ASSEMBLY, THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE INSPECTOR SAID THE FAILED PIVOT BOLT EXHIBITED CLEAR BEACH MARKINGS ON THE FRACTURE FACE. THE PIVOT BOLT, CESSNA PART NUMBER NAS464P4-26, WAS AN ORIGINAL FACTORY INSTALLATION AND HAD ACCUMULATED A TOTAL TIME IN SERVICE OF 2,013 HOURS.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR DOWN LOCK BELL CRANK PIVOT BOLT.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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