# NTSB ERA17LA130: Socata TB20, N2519T, Melbourne, FL, February 25, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 25, 2017, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Melbourne, FL - Coordinates: 28.102777, -80.645278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.1028&lon=-80.6453&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 10, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO, Daher Aircraft inc. - NTSB case key (mKey): 94864 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94864/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94864 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA130 ## Probable cause Improper installation of the circlip within the nose gear strut, which resulted in the strut overextending in the wheel well and preventing the nose landing gear from extending during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Maintenance: repair](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Socata TB-20 TRINIDAD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015/cases.md?model=8680695), [All aircraft, 99 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: nose/tail gear strut/axle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Socata TB-20 TRINIDAD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222/cases.md?model=8680695), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Socata TB-20 TRINIDAD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=8680695), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Socata TB-20 TRINIDAD, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=8680695), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Socata TB-20 TRINIDAD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=8680695), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a personal flight, the airplane's alternator warning light flashed and the battery began to discharge, so the pilot conducted a precautionary landing. The nose landing gear did not fully deploy, and the pilot performed a gear-up landing. Examination of the landing gear system revealed the nose landing gear was jammed within the wheel well because the nose strut had overextended. Further, the circlip that held the strut inside the gear assembly was dislodged from the groove. Paint was identified on the outer portion of the circlip. Review of the maintenance records revealed that the nose landing gear was disassembled and repaired more than 2 years and 75 flight hours before the accident flight. The airplane was fully painted after that maintenance. According to the airplane maintenance manual, the circlip should have been fully installed in the groove, and the landing gear should be rotated several times to confirm proper installation. If the circlip had been properly installed inside the nose strut housing groove at the time paint was applied, paint would not have been on the outer surface of the circlip. It is likely that the circlip was improperly installed when the nose landing gear was repaired; it eventually became dislodged sufficiently to cause the internal strut to overextend and the gear to become jammed within the wheel well. ## Factual narrative On February 25, 2017, about 1115 eastern standard time, a Socata TB20, N2519T, was substantially damaged during a gear up landing at Melbourne International Airport (MLB), Melbourne, Florida. The private pilot was not injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which departed Key West International Airport (EYW), Key West, Florida, about 1012.The pilot reported that during his cross-country flight he noticed the alternator warning light flash and the battery began to discharge. He contacted air traffic control, but did not declare an emergency, and began a slow descent while initiating the emergency gear extension. After multiple unsuccessful attempts the pilot performed a gear up landing. An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed that the main landed gear was extended but not fully locked. The nose landing gear did not extend and remained in the wheel well. Examination of the airframe revealed that the bottom forward bulkhead was damaged during landing sequence. An examination of the nose gear assembly revealed the circlip on the nose landing gear strut was dislodged from the nose landing gear leg assembly, which allowed the strut to extend further than usual. The circlip used to retain the nose gear strut inside the nose gear assembly had paint on the outer portion of the circlip, which should have been fully set inside the groove used to keep the circlip in place. An examination of the circlip groove revealed that it was in serviceable condition with no corrosion or other deformation within the groove. A review of the maintenance records showed that the nose strut was disassembled and repaired on July 15, 2015, and the airplane was completely repainted on April 5, 2016. Further review of the maintenance records revealed that since the disassembly of the nose gear, a total of 75 hours of flight time had accumulated since the maintenance. According to the airplane's maintenance manual the, nose landing gear strut retaining circlip should have been fully installed in the groove. After it is installed, the landing gear should be rotated several times to confirm proper installation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2519T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2519T), registered now, S/N 949 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SOCATA TB20 - Registry model: [Socata TB-20 TRINIDAD](https://openairdocs.org/model/socata-tb-20-trinidad) (registry code 8680695) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 949 - Year built: 1989 - Airframe hours: 73 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4050 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 25, 2016, 2,983 hours before - Departed: EYW, Key West, FL - Destination: DAB, Daytona Beach, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: MLB, Melbourne Intl, runway 27R, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 26, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,858 total, 1,849 in this make and model, 2,700 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: MLB ## 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 20170225001129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170225001129A), Feb 25, 2017: Socata TB-20 TRINIDAD, Melbourne, FL, Substantial damage. The pilot stated he departed eyw (key west FL) under IFR flight plan at about 0925 EST on 02/25/2017 with intended destination of dab (daytona beach, FL). The… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 8, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94864. 6.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484188&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record FAA Statement (item 2, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484189&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20FAA%20Statement-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records (item 3, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484190&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records-Master.PDF - Maintenanace Manual Excerpts (item 4, .PDF, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484191&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenanace%20Manual%20Excerpts-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 5, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484192&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.