# NTSB CHI98LA249: Cessna 190, N56W, Pontiac, MI, July 14, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1998, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Pontiac, MI
- Coordinates: 42.639476, -83.409149 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6395&lon=-83.4091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43081
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA249
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43081/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA249

## Probable cause

improper procedures used during the replacement of the landing gear which resulted in pitting and corrosion of the gear spring.

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear spring - stress corrosion
  - maintenance,replacement - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported he made a 'normal gentle 3 point landing' and during the landing roll the left main gear collapsed. Inspection of the airplane revealed rust and deep pitting on the fractured surface.  The gear was replaced three years prior to the accident; however, this was the first flight since the gear was replaced.

## Factual narrative

On July 14, 1998, at 1400 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 190, N56W, operated by a commercial pilot experienced a left main gear collapse during a landing roll on runway 27R, at the Oakland County Airport, Pontiac, Michigan.  The pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The flight originated from the Detroit Metro Airport, Detroit, Michigan, at 1330 eastern daylight time.

The pilot reported he made a "normal gentle 3 point landing" and during the landing roll the left main gear collapsed.  He reported the airplane was traveling approximately 15 mph when the gear collapse took place.  He reported, "Aircraft had gear replaced and blasted and painted three years or so earlier. ... Aircraft had not been flown in over three years since gear work was done."

The airplane was inspected by an Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Belleville, Michigan, Flight Standards District Office.  He reported the landing gear spring had separated at the support wedge.  Inspection of the failed spring surface revealed an area of rust.  The spring also contained "deep pitting on the upper surface in the area of the fracture."  This assembly appeared to have been recently painted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56W), registered now, S/N 7952, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 190
- Registry model: [Cessna 190](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-190) (registry code 2072902) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Jacobs R755B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755b-series) (registry code 35007, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7952
- Airframe hours: 3085
- Engines: Jacobs R755B2 275 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Scott Equipment Company, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 1998
- Departed: DET, DETROIT, MI
- Destination: PTK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: PTK, Oakland Int'L, runway 27R, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,650 total, 100 in this make and model, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PTK

## 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 19980714027089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980714027089A), Jul 14, 1998: Cessna 190, Pontiac, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated aircraft had normal 3 point landing. On landing roll-out left main gear broke off flush with fuselage. (Speed 15 mph, power off, flaps…

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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