# NTSB ERA11LA357: Cessna 182F, N3152U, Warrenton, VA, June 23, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 23, 2011, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Warrenton, VA - Coordinates: 38.652778, -77.785552 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6528&lon=-77.7856&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 80871 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA357 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80871/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80871 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA357 ## Probable cause The fatigue failure of the left main landing gear due to inadequate maintenance inspection that did not detect and correct corrosion pitting. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=2072714), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md) - [Maintenance: scheduled/routine maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md?model=2072714), [All aircraft, 320 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=2072714), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-to runway: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072714), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, as he taxied the airplane to the runway for takeoff, the left main landing gear collapsed. Examination revealed that the left main landing gear had fractured and completely separated from the airplane about 6 inches outboard of its attachment point at the airframe. Examination of the fracture surface on the section of landing gear leg that remained attached to the airframe revealed features consistent with fatigue failure. Examination of the underside of the landing gear leg in an area directly adjacent to the fatigue zone revealed multiple corrosion pits. The manufacturer's maintenance guidance called for visual inspection of the landing gear every 100 hours, and the maintenance manual included information specific to corrosion control on the landing gear legs. ## Factual narrative On June 23, 2011, about 1130 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182F, N3152U, was substantially damaged after a landing-gear collapse during taxi at Warrenton Airpark (7VG0), Warrenton, Virginia. The certificated airline transport pilot and 4 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local skydiving flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, as he taxied the airplane to the runway for takeoff, the left main landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. Examination revealed the left main landing gear had fractured, and completely separated from the airplane approximately six inches outboard of its attachment point at the airframe. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot, held an airline transport pilot certificate for airplane multiengine land. He also held a commercial pilot certificate for airplane single engine land. In addition, he held a flight instructor certificate, a ground instructor certificate and a flight engineer certificate. His most recent first-class medical certificate application was dated January 28, 2011, but it was denied. He reported 7,200 total hours of flight experience on that date. According to FAA records, an airworthiness certificate was issued for the airplane in 1962. It was a four-seat, high-wing, fixed conventional gear airplane that was equipped with a Continental O-470 engine. The most recent annual inspection was completed November 26, 2010, at 2,679 total aircraft hours. At the time of the accident the airplane accumulated approximately 2,724.6 total flight hours. A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) materials specialist subsequently examined the left main landing gear segments in the operator’s hangar. His preliminary examination revealed that the fracture surface on the separated landing gear leg was smeared during the accident sequence. The segment that remained attached to the airframe displayed a “pristine” fracture, which revealed features consistent with fatigue failure. A detailed examination at the NTSB Materials Laboratory, Washington, DC, confirmed the failure due to fatigue. Examination of the underside of the landing gear strut in an area directly adjacent to the fatigue zone, revealed multiple corrosion pits. The Cessna Maintenance Manual (Model 100 Series (1963-68) Section 2 Ground Handling, Servicing, Lubrication and Inspection) included criteria to visually inspect the “Main gear wheels, wheel bearings, step and spring strut, tires, and fairings” every 100 hours. In July 2007, “Section 5 Landing Gear” of the maintenance manual was revised and included information that concerned “Corrosion Control on Landing Gear Springs." Additionally, the Cessna continued airworthiness program included criteria “To inspect main landing gear spring outboard support for corrosion” every 1,000 hours or 3years. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3152U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3152U-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 18254552, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182F - Registry model: [Cessna 182F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182f) (registry code 2072714) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18254552 - Airframe hours: 4839 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Skydiving, Part 91 - Operator: Aivcon Inc - Registered owner: Aivcon Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 16, 2011 - Departed: 7VG0, Warrenton, VA - Destination: 7VG0, Warrenton, VA - Airport: 7VG0, Warrenton Air Park, runway 22, 2,215 × 70 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; airline transport, flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; seat: left; flight hours: 7,200 total, 200 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: HWY, 5 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 20110623015229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110623015229A), Jun 23, 2011: Cessna 182F, Warrenton, VA, Substantial damage. Pilot was taxiing to runway 22 at Warrenton Air Park when the left main gear broke off of the arcraft. Airplane came to rest on its belly. Major damage done to… ## Docket (12 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 16, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80871. 8.6 MB in all. - Memoradum for Record - Form 6120 (item 1, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372188&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memoradum%20for%20Record%20-%20Form%206120-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363443&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 180 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363445&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Materials Laboratory 15 - Factual Report 11-078 with 4 embedded photos (item 4, .PDF, 4 photos, 700 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352966&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%2015%20-%20Factual%20Report%2011-078%20with%204%20embedded%20photos-Master.PDF - Continued Airworthiness Program - Main Landing Gear Springs (item 5, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372428&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Continued%20Airworthiness%20Program%20-%20Main%20Landing%20Gear%20Springs-Master.PDF - Model 100 Series (1963-68) MM Section 2 Ground Handling, Servicing, Lubrication and Inspection (item 6, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372430&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Model%20100%20Series%20(1963-68)%20MM%20Section%202%20Ground%20Handling,%20Servicing,%20Lubrication%20and%20Inspection-Master.PDF - Model 100 Series (1963-68) MM Section 5 Landing Gear Part #1 (item 7, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372429&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Model%20100%20Series%20(1963-68)%20MM%20Section%205%20Landing%20Gear%20Part%20%231-Master.PDF - Retention and Relealease of Wreckage Form and Receipt of Parts (item 8, .PDF, 159 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372434&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Retention%20and%20Relealease%20of%20Wreckage%20Form%20and%20Receipt%20of%20Parts-Redacted.PDF - Reciept of Returned Parts (LMLG) (item 9, .PDF, 130 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372440&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reciept%20of%20Returned%20Parts%20(LMLG)-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: View of Airplane At Rest (Courtesy of FAA) (item 10, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363476&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20View%20of%20Airplane%20At%20Rest%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: View of Horizontal Stabilizer Damage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 11, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363477&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20View%20of%20Horizontal%20Stabilizer%20Damage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3: View of Left Main Landing Gear Separated from Airplane (Courtesy of FAA) (item 12, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363478&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20View%20of%20Left%20Main%20Landing%20Gear%20Separated%20from%20Airplane%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.