# NTSB CHI91LA278: Cessna 310J, N300RA, Sugar Grove, IL, September 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1991, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Sugar Grove, IL
- Coordinates: 41.760208, -88.449981 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7602&lon=-88.4500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15172
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA278
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15172/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA278

## Probable cause

THE BUCKLED NOSE LANDING GEAR RETRACTION/EXTENSION GEAR DRIVE TUBE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT IN COMMAND NOT HAVING THE LANDING GEAR INSPECTED AT THE INTERVAL RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - jammed
  - maintenance,inspection - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - 2 engines - switched off
  - remedial action - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - propeller feathering - not attained, pilot in command
  - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A COMMERCIAL PILOT SELECTED GEAR DOWN FOR A PRACTICE LANDING, AND THE NOSE GEAR DID NOT EXTEND.  THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ON THE MAIN GEAR AND SHUTDOWN ENGINES ON FINAL APPROACH.  THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD, AND THE NOSE FELL TO THE PAVEMENT.  THE PROPELLERS STRUCK PAVEMENT AT FLIGHT PITCH. A GEAR DRIVE TUBE WAS FOUND BUCKLED IN COMPRESSION.  THE LANDING GEAR HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT  THE INTERVAL RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N300RA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310J
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310J0152
- Airframe hours: 5664
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-U 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas W. Cherwin
- Registered owner: Thomas W. Cherwin
- Last inspection: Annual, September 13, 1990, 190 hours before
- Airport: ARR, Aurora Municipal, runway 27, 6,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 957 total, 500 in this make and model, 796 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910920048199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910920048199A), Sep 20, 1991: Cessna 310J, Chicago/Aurora, IL, Substantial damage. Nose gear failed to extend. Landed nose gear up. Did not feather props. Intermediate gear drive tube buckled.

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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