# NTSB CHI89LA043: Cessna T303, N9890C, Romeo, MI, January 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 6, 1989, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Romeo, MI
- Coordinates: 42.850444, -83.040855 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8504&lon=-83.0409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14321
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14321/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA043

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR ASSEMBLY DUE TO STRESS CORROSION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - stress corrosion (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOTS STATED THAT THE EN ROUTE FLIGHT AND APPROACH TO LANDING WERE ROUTINE. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, AS THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED TO THE GROUND, THE LEFT WING DROPPED AND THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED DUE TO STRESS CORROSION. THE AIRCRAFT HAD 495 HOURS TOTAL TIME, WITH 45 HOURS SINCE THE MOST RECENT ANNUAL INSPECTION, WHICH OCCURRED IN JUNE 1988.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9890C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9890C-1991-05-17), registration cancelled 1991-05-17, S/N T30300229 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T303
- Registry model: [Cessna T303](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t303) (registry code 2073820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T30300229
- Airframe hours: 495
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: William G. Mcharg
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1988, 45 hours before
- Departed: AZO, KALAMAZOO, MI
- Destination: D98, ROMEO, MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: D98, Romeo, runway 36, 4,170 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,266 total, 33 in this make and model, 3,011 as pilot in command, 116 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 360° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19890106000399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890106000399A), Jan 6, 1989: Cessna T303, Romeo, MI, Substantial damage. Left main gear wheel came off on landing. Veered off runway. Stress corrosion socket portion trailing beam assembly

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.

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