# NTSB DEN01LA025: Cessna 320C, N3043T, Englewood, CO, November 30, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 30, 2000, 11:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Coordinates: 39.579891, -104.859817 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5799&lon=-104.8598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 1, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50780
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN01LA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50780/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA025

## Probable cause

the failure of the nose landing gear to fully extend due to a bent extension rod.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - failure (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot said that when he put the landing gear down for landing, the nose wheel landing gear light remained red.  He flew by the tower for status confirmation.  The tower controllers reported the nose wheel landing gear down, but not fully extended.  The pilot landed the airplane, and let its nose settle to the runway.  The airplane came to rest on the centerline of the runway.  Postaccident examination by maintenance personnel determined that a nose gear extension rod had bent during retraction; subsequently, the nose gear failed to fully extend during landing gear extension.

## Factual narrative

On November 30, 2000, at approximately 1150 mountain standard time, a Cessna 320C, N3043T, was substantially damaged during landing at Centennial Airport, Englewood, Colorado.  The airline transport pilot and his passenger were not injured.  The pilot was operating the airplane under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight that originated approximately 30 minutes before the accident.  The pilot had not filed a flight plan.

The pilot said that when he put the landing gear down for landing, the nose wheel landing gear light remained red.  He flew by the tower for status confirmation.  The tower controllers reported the nose wheel landing gear down, but not fully extended.  The pilot landed the airplane, and let its nose settle to the runway.  The airplane came to rest on the centerline of the runway.  Postaccident examination (2 weeks after the event) by maintenance personnel determined that a nose gear extension rod had bent during retraction; subsequently, the nose gear failed to fully extend during landing gear extension.  Two keel formers were bent during the landing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3043T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3043T), registered now, S/N 320C0043, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 320C
- Registry model: [Cessna 320C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-320c) (registry code 2074510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSI0-470-B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsi0-470-b) (registry code 17029, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 320C0043
- Airframe hours: 4050
- Engines: Continental TSIO-470-B 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cordell W. Shaw
- Registered owner: Thomas J. Burlace III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 25, 2000, 5 hours before
- Departed: APA
- Airport: APA, Centennial Airport, runway 35L, 7,004 × 77 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; airline transport, flight instructor, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 20,000 total, 224 in this make and model, 24 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 118 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: APA

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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