N4666T

On March 27, 1997, at 1713 central standard time, a Cessna 195, N4666T, operated by a commercial pilot experienced a left main gear collapse while landing on runway 13 at the Cedar Rapids Airport, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Marion, Iowa, at 1700 cst.

The pilot reported that after touching down and rolling 500 to 1,000 feet down the runway, a gust of wind caused the airplane to weather vane 10 degrees to the right. He reported he used left rudder and "firm" braking to stop the heading change. He then applied "increasingly very firm brake application in an attempt to return heading to runway heading to keep from leaving runway."

He continued to report that the left main gear then collapsed and the airplane rotated approximately 150 degrees to the right prior to coming to rest.

Reported winds were from 180 degrees at 14 knots gusting to 20 konts.

The airplane was examined by an Airworthiness Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards District Office in Des Moines, Iowa. The inspector reported that the left gear fractured adjacent to the fuselage attach point. He reported the "Failure appeared to be instantaneous with no sign of rust or discoloration that would indicate propagation over a period of time" and that "No surface cracks, dents, or fatigue cracking could be seen."