# NTSB CHI97LA094: Cessna 195, N4666T, Cedar Rapids, IA, March 27, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 27, 1997, 17:13 local (23:13 UTC) - Place: Cedar Rapids, IA - Coordinates: 41.970489, -91.659141 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9705&lon=-91.6591&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 5, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10536 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10536/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA094 ## Probable cause overload failure of the left main landing gear for undetermined reason(s). A factor associated with the accident was the gusty crosswind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - landing gear,main gear attachment - overload - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the left main landing gear failed during the landing roll-out on runway 13, after the airplane had rolled about 500 to 1000 feet. The pilot said he was transitioning to a 3-point attitude and was applying left rudder and firm braking to maintain directional control, when the left main gear collapsed. The airplane rotated approximately 150 degrees prior to coming to a stop. Winds were reported as being from 180 degrees at 14 knots gusting to 20 knots. Inspection of the fractured gear failed to reveal any signs of preexisting damage or fatigue. ## Factual narrative On March 27, 1997, at 1713 central standard time, a Cessna 195, N4666T, operated by a commercial pilot experienced a left main gear collapse while landing on runway 13 at the Cedar Rapids Airport, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Marion, Iowa, at 1700 cst. The pilot reported that after touching down and rolling 500 to 1,000 feet down the runway, a gust of wind caused the airplane to weather vane 10 degrees to the right. He reported he used left rudder and "firm" braking to stop the heading change. He then applied "increasingly very firm brake application in an attempt to return heading to runway heading to keep from leaving runway." He continued to report that the left main gear then collapsed and the airplane rotated approximately 150 degrees to the right prior to coming to rest. Reported winds were from 180 degrees at 14 knots gusting to 20 konts. The airplane was examined by an Airworthiness Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards District Office in Des Moines, Iowa. The inspector reported that the left gear fractured adjacent to the fuselage attach point. He reported the "Failure appeared to be instantaneous with no sign of rust or discoloration that would indicate propagation over a period of time" and that "No surface cracks, dents, or fatigue cracking could be seen." ## Aircraft - Registration: N4666T (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 195 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7802 - Airframe hours: 2393 - Engines: Jacobs R755-B2 275 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David G. Lammers - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1997, 12 hours before - Departed: 7IA3, MARION, IA - Destination: CID - Airport: CID, Cedar Rapids Municipal, runway 13, 5,450 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,730 total, 355 in this make and model, 4,369 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 14 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CID ## 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 19970327003829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970327003829A), Mar 27, 1997: Cessna 195, Cedar Rapids, IA, No damage. Aircraft left main landing gear collapsed on landing. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.