# NTSB ERA15LA372: Cessna A185F, N186AZ, Miami, FL, August 31, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 31, 2015, 18:52 local (22:52 UTC) - Place: Miami, FL - Coordinates: 25.647499, -80.433334 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.6475&lon=-80.4333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 92048 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15LA372 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92048/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92048 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA372 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and separation of the left main landing gear wheel from its strut. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 71 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that, after a normal landing, during the landing roll about 25 knots, the left main landing gear wheel separated from its strut and the left wing contacted the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed that two of the four bolts that attached the left wheel axle assembly to the landing gear spring strut were fractured. Metallurgical examination of the fractured bolts revealed that, although they exhibited minor iron oxide (corrosion) film on the surface, all fracture features exhibited signatures of overstress separation consistent with a hard landing. ## Factual narrative On August 31, 2015, at 1852 eastern daylight time, a Cessna A185F, N186AZ, was substantially damaged during landing at Miami Executive Airport (TMB), Miami, Florida. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight that departed about 1600. The airplane was owned by IZ Air LLC and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.The pilot reported that after departure he flew west of the airport, before returning with the intent of practicing an instrument landing system approach. The approach and landing were normal; however, during the rollout, at a speed of about 25 knots, the airplane "turned sharply to the left." The pilot attempted to "correct the turn to the right," but then observed the left main landing gear wheel assembly as it rolled ahead of the airplane, detached from the landing gear. He then noticed a "strong repeating blow" accompanied by a yawing moment, and the left wingtip contacted the ground. The airplane was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector who reported substantial damage to the left wing and aileron, and buckling of the left side forward fuselage aft of the main landing gear attach point. Two of the four bolts that attached the left wheel axle assembly to the landing gear spring strut were fractured. Portions of the fracture surfaces of both bolts were red/orange in color, similar to rust corrosion. The landing gear axle assembly, wheel, and bolt remnants were retained and sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington D.C., for further examination. Metallurgical examination of the left wheel axle assembly bolts revealed that they exhibited minor iron oxide (corrosion) film on the surface; however, all fracture features were consistent with overstress separation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N186AZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N186AZ), registered now, S/N 18503192, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F (F) - Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520-D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-d) (registry code 17236, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18503192 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 3347.1 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D24B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 2015, 26 hours before - Departed: TMB, Miami, FL - Destination: TMB, Miami, FL - Airport: TMB, Miami Executive, runway 09R, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 22, 2014; seat: left; flight hours: 5,699 total, 3,837 in this make and model, 5,699 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days - Pilot-rated passenger; age 48; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 6, 2015; seat: right; flight hours: 2,558 total, 999,999 in this make and model, 90 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Observed at: KTMB ## 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 20150831015789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150831015789A), Aug 31, 2015: Cessna A185F, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. After landing during the landing roll the left main gear wheel collapsed resulting in damage to the left wing and left side of fuselage. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 22, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92048. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464436&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 2, .PDF, 171 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464437&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 3, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464438&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF - Materials Laboratory Factual Report (item 4, .PDF, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464439&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF - Evidence Control Form (item 5, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464440&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20Form-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.