# NTSB ERA17LA033: Cessna TR182, N4657S, Watertown, NY, October 31, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 31, 2016, 16:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Watertown, NY - Coordinates: 43.991943, -76.020553 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9919&lon=-76.0206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 20, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 94327 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17LA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94327/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94327 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA033 ## Probable cause A collapse of the main landing gear for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna TR182, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072735), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna TR182, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072735), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna TR182, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072735), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis Before landing at the conclusion of the personal flight, the commercial pilot extended the airplane's retractable landing gear and observed a green light indicating the landing gear were down. During landing, the right main landing gear collapsed, followed by the left main landing gear, and the airplane veered off the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, elevator, and right horizontal stabilizer. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the landing gear circuit breaker was tripped and that the landing gear warning horn was not functional. Further examination of the landing gear system revealed intermittent sticking of the landing gear solenoid, which resulted in the power pack continuing to run for longer than necessary, which would subsequently trip the landing gear circuit breaker. Replacement of the solenoid corrected the issue. The examination did not reveal any other anomalies of the landing gear system. Given the pilot's report of observing a positive indication that the landing gear extended, as well as the anomalies of the landing gear system that were discovered during the postaccident examination, the method and sequence of the landing gear collapse could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On October 31, 2016, about 1620 eastern daylight time, a Cessna TR182, N4657S, was substantially damaged when the main landing gear collapsed while landing at Watertown International Airport (ART), Watertown, New York. The commercial pilot was not injured. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight that originated at Massena International Airport (MSS), Massena, New York. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.The pilot reported that, before landing, he observed a green light indicating that the landing gear were down. During landing, the right main landing gear collapsed, followed by the left main landing gear. The airplane veered off the left side of runway 28, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, elevator, and right horizontal stabilizer. A review of the maintenance records revealed that both down lock switches on the main landing gear were replaced approximately 29 hours, about 5 months, before the accident. The aircraft was placed on jacks and the landing gear were tested, all checks were normal. During a postaccident examination, the airplane was placed on jacks to facilitate inspection of the landing gear system. The landing gear was cycled normally several times, the emergency extension was also checked, and all operations were satisfactory. The landing gear warning horn was found to be inoperative due to a failure of the cabin speaker. The circuit breaker for the electrically-driven hydraulic power pack was found popped after the accident. Further investigation revealed the landing gear solenoid would intermittently stick closed and the power pack motor would continue to run without shutting off, tripping the circuit breaker. Replacement of the solenoid corrected the problem. The airplane was equipped with a Lycoming O-540 series, 235-horsepower engine. The airplane had been operated for about 61 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed on November 17, 2015. The pilot reported 2,490 hours of total flight experience, of which 63 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. The weather conditions at ART reported at 1556, included wind variable at 5 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition, broken at 3,500 ft; temperature, 6° C; dew point, -2° C; and a barometric altimeter setting of 30.26 inHg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4657S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4657S), registered now, S/N R18201369, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA TR182 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Cessna TR182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tr182) (registry code 2072735) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R18201369 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 1892.8 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 17, 2015 - Departed: MSS, MASSENA, NY - Destination: ART, Watertown, NY - Airport: ART, Watertown Intl, runway 28, 5,999 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; last flight review June 15, 2015; seat: left; flight hours: 2,490.1 total, 63.2 in this make and model, 2,188 as pilot in command, 27.1 in the last 90 days, 16.1 in the last 30 days, 4.6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: KART ## 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 20161031023169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161031023169A), Oct 31, 2016: Cessna TR182, Dexter, NY, Substantial damage. Upon touchdown on runway 28 at Watertown International Airport, the right landing gear collapsed. Aircraft skidded off left side of runway into the grass where… ## Other investigations on N4657S (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX04LA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA287), Aug 6, 2004: Cessna TR182 (N4657S), Torrance, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A wheels up landing due to the failure of the hydraulic hose leading to the nose gear actuator, which depleted the hydraulic system of pressurized fluid. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 4, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94327. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477602&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 223 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477603&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records (item 3, .PDF, 541 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477604&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records-Master.PDF - Post Accident Examination Results (Correspondence with Mechanic) (item 4, .PDF, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477606&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Post%20Accident%20Examination%20Results%20(Correspondence%20with%20Mechanic)-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Mechanic (item 5, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477605&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Mechanic-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.