N732CQ

On October 27, 1994, about 2308 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 210L, N732CQ, registered to Flight Express Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight, experienced a right main landing gear collapsed on landing rollout at Craig Municipal Airport. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the airline transport-rated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Jacksonville International Airport, 13 minutes before the accident.

The pilot stated that he lowered the landing gear on base leg in preparation for landing at Jacksonville International Airport. The right main landing gear light did not illuminate, however, a visual check of the landing gear revealed the right main landing gear was down. He conducted the emergency procedure from memory by extending the emergency hand pump handle and pumping the handle 30 to 50 times. The main landing gear light still did not illuminate. The checklist states that it takes about 70 cycles (140 strokes) to extend the gear and illuminate the landing gear light. The pilot landed without further incident and taxied the airplane to the parking ramp. The pilot did not record the discrepancy on the company discrepancy log maintained in the airplane. Visual examination of the landing gear revealed the left main landing gear down lock mechanism was in the lock position. The right main landing gear down lock mechanism was about a 1/2 centimeter from the micro switch and was not locked. The pilot called company maintenance and informed them of the situation, and was instructed to fly the airplane to Craig Municipal Airport with the landing gear down.

The pilot departed Jacksonville International Airport with a known unairworthy condition at 2255, and did not request a special flight permit from the FAA before departing. He arrived at Craig Municipal Airport at 2308, and made a soft field landing on runway 5. The airplane touched down on the left main landing gear. When the nosewheel touched down, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane rotated around its vertical axis to the right 180 degrees before coming to a complete stop.

Examination of the landing gear by the FAA and an airframe and powerplant mechanic revealed improper rigging of the right main gear down lock mechanism due to normal wear.