N2303YCessna A185E2006-01-30 NTSB Accident Report

Substantial
None

Cessna A185ES/N: 185-01868

Summary

On January 30, 2006, a Cessna A185E (N2303Y) was involved in an incident near Lewiston, ID. All 3 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The failure of the left main landing gear attaching bolt, which resulted in the left main gear collapsing during the landing roll.

On January 30, 2006, about 1130 Pacific standard time, a Cessna A185E, N2303Y, sustained substantial damage when the left main landing gear collapsed during landing at a private airstrip approximately 25 nautical miles south southeast of Lewiston, Idaho. The private pilot and the two passengers aboard were not injured. The airplane was registered to the Bentz Fence Company Inc. of Lewiston and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight that departed from the Lewiston - Nez Perce County Airport about 1100 with an intended destination of the private airstrip.

According to the pilot, upon touchdown, the left landing gear leg "started to fail" as the airplane's weight came onto the wheels.

This incident is documented in NTSB report SEA06CA048. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2303Y.

Accident Details

Date
Monday, January 30, 2006
NTSB Number
SEA06CA048
Location
Lewiston, ID
Event ID
20060227X00239
Coordinates
46.000831, -116.692222
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
3
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

The failure of the left main landing gear attaching bolt, which resulted in the left main gear collapsing during the landing roll.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
185-01868
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1971
Model / ICAO
A185EC185
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
6
FAA Model
A185E

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
BENTZ FENCE COMPANY INC
Address
1309 POWERS
City
LEWISTON
State / Zip Code
ID 83501
Country
United States

Analysis

On January 30, 2006, about 1130 Pacific standard time, a Cessna A185E, N2303Y, sustained substantial damage when the left main landing gear collapsed during landing at a private airstrip approximately 25 nautical miles south southeast of Lewiston, Idaho. The private pilot and the two passengers aboard were not injured. The airplane was registered to the Bentz Fence Company Inc. of Lewiston and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight that departed from the Lewiston - Nez Perce County Airport about 1100 with an intended destination of the private airstrip.

According to the pilot, upon touchdown, the left landing gear leg "started to fail" as the airplane's weight came onto the wheels. The left gear folded outward, and the airplane veered to the left. The airplane's left wing tip contacted an embankment, and the airplane came to a stop.

Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that there was structural damage to the left gear box, left wing strut, left wing tip, left aileron, the rear spar of the left wing, and the propeller. The inspector found that the 7/16-inch AN bolt that held the left gear leg to the fuselage failed in shear loading. Failure of the bolt allowed the gear to pivot on the landing gear box leading to failure of the lower landing gear box web.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA06CA048