# NTSB ATL99LA115: Beech 55, N56AW, Nashville, TN, July 20, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 20, 1999, 11:28 local (16:28 UTC) - Place: Nashville, TN - Coordinates: 36.109794, -86.660339 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1098&lon=-86.6603&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47013 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47013/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA115 ## Probable cause The total failure of the nose gear extension and retraction assembly that resulted in the collapse of the nose gear during landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - landing gear,nose gear (cause) - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - failure,total (cause) - Nose gear collapsed, landing ## Analysis According to the pilot, the multi-engine training flight was cleared for a landing on runway 20C. The pilot reported that the before landing checklist was completed, and the landing gear extension was verified by both pilots. The landing on the main wheels, was described as normal, but when the nose wheel was lowered on the runway, both pilots heard a 'pop' followed by the collapse of the nose wheel assembly. The airplane slid 2500 feet before stopping on the runway. The post-accident examination of the airplane disclosed that the nose landing gear aft drag brace had broken. Maintenance history of the failed component was not available. ## Factual narrative On July 20, 1999, at 1128 central daylight time, a Beech 55, N56AW, nose wheel assembly collapsed during a landing on runway 20C at the Nashville International Airport in Nashville, Tennessee. The instructional flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial airframe damage. The certified flight instructor and the commercial pilot were not injured. The initial departure time from Nashville, Tennessee, at 0900. According to the pilot, the multi-engine training flight was cleared for a landing on runway 20C. The pilot reported that the before landing checklist was completed, and the landing gear extension was verified by both pilots. The landing on the main wheels, was described as normal, but when the nose wheel was lowered on the runway, both pilots heard a "pop" followed by the collapse of the nose wheel assembly. The airplane slid 2500 feet before stopping on the runway. The post-accident examination of the airplane disclosed that the nose landing gear aft drag brace had broken. The drag brace broke at the point where the retraction rod attaches to the nose gear retract idler tangs. Maintenance history of the failed component was not available, however according to the 100 hour inspection card, a visual and security check is required for nose gear linkage components (see attached copy, illustrated parts catalog, and copy, shop manual,100-hour inspection). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N56AW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56AW-2022-12-31), registration cancelled 2022-12-31, S/N TC-110 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 55 - Registry model: [Beech 95-B55 (T42A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95-b55-t42a) (registry code 1152706) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TC-110 - Airframe hours: 3500 - Engines: Continental IO-470-L 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Robert M. Whitmore - Registered owner: Aircraft Support Services - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BNA - Airport: BNA, Nashville International, runway 20C, 8,000 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 16 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 250 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BNA ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19990720024069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990720024069A), Jul 20, 1999: Beech 95B55A, Nashville, TN, Substantial damage. (.19) On July 20, 1999, at 1128 central daylight time, a Beech 55, N56AW, nose wheel assembly collapsed during a landing on runway 20C at the Nashville… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.