# NTSB BFO95LA094: Cessna 310K, N6921L, Columbiana, OH, August 29, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 29, 1995, 15:47 local (19:47 UTC) - Place: Columbiana, OH - Coordinates: 40.879684, -80.679382 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8797&lon=-80.6794&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9081 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO95LA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9081/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA094 ## Probable cause The improper maintenance installation and the subsequent separation of the torque links on the left main landing gear during the landing roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear strut scissors - disconnected (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL HE 'FELT SOMETHING DRAG ON THE LEFT SIDE.... CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO VEER VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT.' THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK TREES LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 150 FEET TO THE LEFT OF THE LANDING SURFACE. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE WASHER UNDER THE LEFT LANDING GEAR TORQUE LINK ATTACHMENT BOLT HEAD WAS NOT INSTALLED, AND THE TORQUE LINKS HAD SEPARATED. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD JUST RECEIVED MAINTENANCE TO REPAIR A PREVIOUSLY FAILED TORQUE LINK. ## Factual narrative On August 29, 1995, at 1547 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 310K, N6921L, operated by the private pilot/registered owner, was destroyed when it veered off the left side of the runway during the landing roll, and collided with trees at Columbiana County Airport, Columbiana, Ohio. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which operated under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Youngstown, Ohio, approximately 1520. The pilot stated that the airplane was at Youngstown for maintenance repairs for a torque link failure. When he was informed that the repairs were completed, the pilot flew the airplane back to it's home base airport in Columbiana, Ohio. He stated that the flight was smooth and uneventful, but that during the landing roll he "...felt something drag on the left side...causing the aircraft to veer violently to the left." The aircraft departed the left side of runway 25 and struck trees located approximately 150 feet to the left of the landing surface. Postaccident examination of the aircraft revealed that the washer under the torque link attachment bolt head was not installed, and the torque links had separated. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6921L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6921L-2013-07-23), registration cancelled 2013-07-23, S/N 310K0021, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 310K - Registry model: [Cessna 310K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310k) (registry code 2074228) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 310K0021 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-VO 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Hha, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 9, 1995 - Departed: YNG, YOUNGSTOWN, OH - Destination: 02G - Airport: 02G, Columbiana County Airport, runway 25, 3,502 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 1,250 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F ## 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 19950829032299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950829032299A), Aug 29, 1995: Cessna 310K, East Liverpool, OH, Substantial damage. Left main gear torque link failed landing. Exited runway into trees. Improper installation by repair station. (-23) on August 29, 1995 at 1535, N6921L a Cessna… ## Other investigations on N6921L (3) 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. - [NTSB NYC68F0067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC68F0067), Jul 7, 1967: Cessna 310K (N6921L), Deer Park, NY, substantial damage - [NTSB NYC68F0180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC68F0180), May 4, 1967: Cessna 310K (N6921L), Block Island, RI, substantial damage - [NTSB NYC66F0609](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC66F0609), Apr 8, 1966: Cessna 310K (N6921L), Selden, NY, substantial damage 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.