# NTSB CHI00LA010: Cessna 172G, N4621L, Cambridge, MN, October 15, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 15, 1999, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Cambridge, MN - Coordinates: 45.559925, -93.219161 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5599&lon=-93.2192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47570 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47570/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA010 ## Probable cause the fractured main landing gear due to the improper maintenance by an unknown person(s) and the inadequate annual inspection by an unqualified person. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Gear collapsed, landing - landing gear,main gear - fractured (cause) - maintenance - improper, unknown (cause) - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, unqualified person (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing ## Analysis The Cessna 172G impacted the runway during landing following a loss of directional control. The right main landing gear strut had fractured at a weld attaching the cabin entry step to the strut. .' Inspection of the right main landing gear revealed that the cabin entry step was welded on the bottom side of the strut. The cabin entry step on the left main landing gear strut was also welded to its strut. There was no logbook entry regarding the welding of the cabin entry step. The last annual inspection was not performed by an inspection authorized (IA) airframe and powerplant mechanic. The Cessna Service Manual states the following under section 5-7, Step Bracket Replacement, 'The step bracket is secured to the landing gear strut with Conley-Weld, or a similar epoxy base adhesive.' ## Factual narrative On October 15, 1999, at 1650 central daylight time, a Cessna 172G, N4621L, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged following a loss of directional control during landing on runway 34 (3,200 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) at Cambridge Municipal Airport, Cambridge, Minnesota. The right main landing gear strut had fractured at a weld attaching the cabin entry step to the strut. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The flight departed from Anoka County Airport, Blaine, Minnesota, at 1445, en route to Cambridge Municipal Airport. The pilot reported the following in a written statement, "...Upon touchdown on runway 34, I heard a loud snapping noise and then felt something hit bottom right side of fuselage and aircraft began to swerve to right side of runway. I immediately pulled throttle and mixture out and applied left brake to try to return to centerline. The aircraft continued to track off runway into a grassy area on east side of runway. The aircraft stopped approximately 25 yards from edge of runway 34 with the right wingtip and right elevator touching the ground. The right main spring steel landing gear was found at edge of runway." Inspection of the right main landing gear by a Federal Aviation Administration Maintenance Inspector revealed that the cabin entry step was welded on the bottom side of the strut. The cabin entry step on the left main landing gear strut was also welded to its strut. According to the FAA Inspector, there was no logbook entry regarding the welding of the cabin entry step. The last annual inspection was not performed by an inspection authorized (IA) airframe and powerplant mechanic. The Cessna Service Manual states the following under section 5-7, Step Bracket Replacement, "The step bracket is secured to the landing gear strut with Conley-Weld, or a similar epoxy base adhesive." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4621L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4621L), registered now, S/N 17254616, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172G - Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172-54616 - Airframe hours: 5230 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Timothy J. Weiss - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1999, 55 hours before - Departed: ANE, BLAINE, MN - Destination: CBG - Airport: CRG, Cambridge Municipal, runway 34, 3,200 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,780 total, 600 in this make and model, 1,155 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CBG ## 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 19991015030529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991015030529A), Oct 15, 1999: Cessna 172G, Cambridge, MN, Substantial damage. (.19) On October 15, 1999, at 1650 central daylight time, a Cessna 172G, N4621L, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged following a… ## Other investigations on N4621L (1) 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 MKC77DER28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC77DER28), Apr 7, 1977: Cessna 172G (N4621L), Sandstone, MN, 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.