# NTSB CHI91LA064: Cessna 320E, N4695X, Elkhart, IN, January 10, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 10, 1991, 17:16 local (22:16 UTC)
- Place: Elkhart, IN
- Location: 41.7194° N, 86.0032° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ELKHART MUNI (EKM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7194&lon=-86.0032&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14984
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14984/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA064

## Probable cause

A FRACTURED LANDING GEAR RETRACTION ASSEMBLY COMPONENT AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear not retracted, takeoff - initial climb
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - fractured (cause)
  - gear extension - not possible
- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - 1 engine
  - fuel system,selector/valve - jammed
  - emergency procedure - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - 1 engine - undetermined
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - flare - not attained, pilot in command

## Analysis

A PILOT EXPERIENCED A HUNG NOSE GEAR ON RETRACTION AFTER TAKEOFF.  NORMAL AND MANUAL ATTEMPTS TO EXTEND THE NOSE GEAR FAILED.  WHILE CYCLING THE GEAR, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED POWER LOSS TWICE ON THE LEFT ENGINE, AND THE RIGHT ENGINE HESITATED ONCE.  ADJUSTMENT OF THE FUEL SELECTOR HANDLES RECOVERED THE ENGINES.  THE PILOT CONTINUED TO FINAL APPROACH CONFIGURED FOR LANDING WITH DEFECTIVE GEAR, WITH FULL FLAPS AND MAIN GEAR DOWN.  THE PILOT RECOUNTED HE HAD NO POWER RESPONSE FROM EITHER ENGINE BELOW 400 FEET ON FINAL.  HE INCREASED HIS DESCENT ANGLE TO MAINTAIN 100 MPH BUT HAD INSUFFICIENT SPEED TO FLARE FOR TOUCHDOWN.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE SHOWED THE CAM ROLLER WHICH CENTERS THE NOSE WHEEL ON RETRACTION HAD FRACTURED, AND THE NOSE GEAR DRIVE TUBE BUCKLED AND FRACTURED WHERE FUEL SELECTOR HANDLES ATTACH TO CABLES TO SELECTOR VALVES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4695X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4695X-1992-11-17), registration cancelled 1992-11-17, S/N 320E0067 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 320E
- Registry model: [Cessna 320E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-320e) (registry code 2074514) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 320E-0067
- Airframe hours: 3505
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TS10-520-B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Warner, Jack E.
- Registered owner: Warner, Jack E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 5, 1990, 22 hours before
- Destination: 3C1, IN
- Airport: EKM, Elkhart Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 293 total, 146 in this make and model, 188 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 90° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EKM, 1 nm away

## 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 19910110000319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910110000319A), Jan 10, 1991: Cessna 320E, Elkhart, IN, Substantial damage. Unable extend nose gear. Fuel selectors affected. Landed nose gear up. Centering cam had broken. Selector cables bent

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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