# NTSB CHI92LA006: Cessna 421B, N100CA, Battle Creek, MI, October 10, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1991, 13:31 local (17:31 UTC)
- Place: Battle Creek, MI
- Coordinates: 43.119678, -86.149826 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1197&lon=-86.1498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15332
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15332/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA006

## Probable cause

THE TOTAL FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR'S DOWNLOCK LINK ASSEMBLY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, taxi - from landing
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - failure,total (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, taxi - from landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - runway
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

AT THE COMPLETION OF ITS LANDING ROLL THE MEDIUM SIZED TWIN ENGINED AIRLINE BEGAN A LEFTHAND 180 DEGREE TURN ON THE RUNWAY FOR THE PURPOSE OF BACK TAXIING.  THE PILOT STATED HE HAD ADDED POWER ON THE RIGHT ENGINE TO AID HIM PERFORM THE TURN.  DURING THIS TURN THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED.  AN ON SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR DOWNLOCK LINK HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N100CA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421B0503
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520H 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Specialist, Inc.
- Registered owner: Cade L. Havard
- Departed: GRR, GRAND RAPIDS, MI
- Airport: BTL, W.K. Kellogg, runway 23, 10,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 22,580 total, 550 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: BTL, 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 19911010047359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911010047359A), Oct 10, 1991: Cessna 421B, Battle Creek, MI, Substantial damage. Made 180 after landing aiding turn by outboard engine. Right main down lock link failed in tension. Gear collapsed.

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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