N4010Q

On March 26, 2008, at 1550 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 402, N4010Q, was substantially damaged during a gear up landing at the Henderson Executive Airport (HND), Henderson, Nevada. The airplane was registered to SkyVentures LLC, and operated by King Airelines, Inc., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the on-demand air taxi flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Canyon West Airport (1G4), Peach Springs, Arizona, at 1500.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that following a normal takeoff from 1G4, he observed normal gear up and locked indications via the landing gear position lights. Immediately following the gear retraction, he noticed excessive drag and decided to perform a low approach to the runway so personnel on the ground could assess the situation. Ground based witnesses observed that the right landing gear appeared "twisted."

The pilot continued the flight to HND where emergency services were available. He executed two low approaches to have ground crew reassess the condition of the landing gear. The pilot then executed an intentional gear up landing in a gravel area just short of the runway in an attempt to minimize damage to the airplane.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the left-hand main landing gear torque link upper attach fitting was separated and the fracture surfaces exhibited an angular jagged matte appearance. The reason for the failure of the left main landing gear torque link assembly was undetermined.