# NTSB CHI91LA105: Cessna 401, N401RW, St. Louis, MO, March 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 6, 1991, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: St. Louis, MO
- Coordinates: 38.629272, -90.189964 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6293&lon=-90.1900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15020
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15020/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA105

## Probable cause

THE LANDING GEAR LOCKING MECHANISM (BELL CRANK) HAD FRACTURED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - fractured (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL OUT, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT.  HE APPLIED CORRECTIVE MEASURES BUT THE LEFT WING CONTINUED TO DROP AND CONTACTED THE TERRAIN PROIR TO THE AIRCRAFT BEING STOPPED.  POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A BROKEN BELL CRANK ASSEMBLY IN THE LANDING GEAR, WHICH ALLOWED THE PREMATURE RETRACTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N401RW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N401RW-2010-06-04), registration cancelled 2010-06-04, S/N 401-118, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 401
- Registry model: [Cessna 401](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-401) (registry code 207590C) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 401-118
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Redwing Airways, Inc.
- Departed: IRK, KIRKSVILLE, MO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: STL, Lambert, runway 24, 7,602 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,743 total, 150 in this make and model, 3,467 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: STL, 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 19910306006929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910306006929A), Mar 6, 1991: Cessna 401, St Louis, MO, Substantial damage. Left main gear collpased on landing roll. Bell crank assembly failed.

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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