# NTSB DEN08LA159: Cessna 172RG, N6416V, St. Louis, MO, September 19, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 19, 2008, 16:03 local (21:03 UTC) - Place: St. Louis, MO - Coordinates: 38.661945, -90.651947 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6619&lon=-90.6519&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 68980 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08LA159 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68980/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA159 ## Probable cause The improper maintenance performed resulting in a jammed nose landing gear door preventing the extension of the nose landing gear. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: nose/tail landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 185 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: landing gear door retract sec](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023231): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023231/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023231/cases.md) - [Maintenance: repair](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 99 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he had just departed when he noted that he had a "landing gear problem." After multiple attempts to extend the landing gear, the pilot performed a gear up landing, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. Examination revealed that the nose gear door was jammed and had prevented the nose landing gear from extending. An examination of the maintenance records revealed that the day prior to the accident, the airplane was in for maintenance directly related to the landing gear door and damage to the door lip. The mechanic performed two gear swings without issue and the airplane was returned to service with the intent to repair the gear door damage when the airplane was in for an annual inspection in October. ## Factual narrative On September 19, 2008, at 1603 central daylight time, a Cessna 172RG, N6416V, owned by Convergent Aviation Ventures LLC, and operated by an airline transport certificated pilot, was substantially damaged during a gear-up landing at Spirit of St Louis Airport, St Louis, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot was not injured. The local flight departed at 1250. According to the accident report form submitted by the pilot, he had just departed when he noted that he had a "landing gear problem." The pilot notified the air traffic control tower and they confirmed that the main landing gear was extended but the nose landing gear was not. The pilot discussed the situation with "Skyline" over the radio and flew the airplane for the next three hours to burn off fuel. During this time, the pilot made numerous attempts to pump down the landing gear without success. The pilot returned to the airport and attempted three touch and go landings in order to "force" or jolt the nose gear down. Ultimately the pilot elected to land with the landing gear retracted. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane, the damage to the fuselage extended through the skin, into the bulkhead and would require major repair. Further examination revealed that the nose gear door was jammed and had prevented the nose landing gear from extending. An examination of the maintenance records revealed that the day prior to the accident, the airplane was in for maintenance directly related to the landing gear door and damage to the door lip. The mechanic performed two gear swings without issue and the airplane was returned to service with the intent to repair the gear door damage when the airplane was in for an annual inspection in October. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6416V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6416V-2013-06-20), registration cancelled 2013-06-20, S/N 172RG0678, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG - Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Airframe hours: 8321.4 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-F 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 12, 2008 - Departed: SUS, St. Louis, MO - Destination: SUS, St. Louis, MO - Airport: SUS, Spirit of St. Louis Airport, runway 08L, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 3, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 5 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KSTL ## 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 20080919848569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080919848569A), Sep 19, 2008: Cessna 172RG, St Louis, MO, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 19, 2008, [privacy data omitted] was acting as pilot in command of a rental Cessna 172RG, registration number N6416V and departed Spirit of… 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.