# NTSB ERA22LA434: Cessna 414, N745EP, Augusta, GA, September 26, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 26, 2022, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Augusta, GA - Coordinates: 33.365375, -81.966542 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3654&lon=-81.9665&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 106141 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA434 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106141/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106141 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA434 ## Probable cause The failure of the nose landing gear to fully extend and lock into position for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in its collapse during landing. ## 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 · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 414, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md?model=2075908), [All aircraft, 185 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 414, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=2075908), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 414, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2075908), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after an uneventful cross-country flight, while on short final approach to the runway, he received an unsafe nose landing gear (NLG) indication and performed a go-around. The pilot reported that the main landing gear indicator lights showed that the landing gear were down and locked; however, the NLG indicator light was flickering on and off. The pilot cycled the landing gear with the landing gear switch while in the traffic pattern and received confirmation from the tower controller that the landing gear appeared down. Subsequently, the pilot continued the traffic pattern to landing and, upon touchdown, the NLG collapsed and the airplane skidded to a stop on the runway. The fuselage sustained substantial damage. Examination of the landing gear system found no anomalies that would have prevented normal operation of the nose landing gear. Damage sustained to the airframe prevented the landing gear system from being tested. The manual landing gear extension crank was found in an intermediate position, which likely would have prevented the nose landing gear from fully extending and locking into place. The investigation was not able to determine whether the crank was improperly stowed, or not fully engaged, during flight, or whether the crank was moved after the accident during recovery operations. ## Factual narrative On September 26, 2022, about 0900 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 414 airplane, N745EP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field (AGS), Augusta, Georgia. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot reported that during a visual approach to runway 35, while crossing over the runway numbers, he received a landing gear unsafe warning horn alert. He also observed a flickering nose landing gear (NLG) down light indication. He performed a go-around and, while in the traffic pattern, he cycled the landing gear up and down with the landing gear switch. The NLG light continued to flicker on and off, and the main landing gear lights were steady green, indicating they were down and locked. The pilot reported that the tower controller advised that the landing gear appeared to be down, so he continued in the traffic pattern for landing. Upon touchdown the NLG collapsed, and the airplane skidded to a stop on runway 35. The forward fuselage area sustained substantial damage. An examination of the landing gear system found that the NLG adjusting bell crank and actuator rod were connected. The NLG actuator rod was disconnected from the adjusting bell crank to facilitate recovery of the airplane. The NLG locked into place when moved into position by hand and three green lights were observed in the cockpit. There were no anomalies discovered with any linkages, bell cranks, or actuator arms, that would have resulted in the partial extension of the NLG. The landing gear system could not be otherwise functionally tested due to the airframe damage that prevented normal main and nose landing gear movement. The manual landing gear extension crank in the cockpit was found in an intermediate position, neither fully stowed nor extended. The crank was found to catch on the pilot seat when it was attempted to be stowed; however, the crank was able to be stowed when it was rotated approximately 1/4 turn. According to the Airplane Flight Manual, the landing gear emergency extension procedure stated in part: “Hand Crank – Push Button and Stow.” According to the Cessna 414 service manual, information was provided on troubleshooting the landing gear system when all three landing gear were not observed to be down and locked. Several possible issues were listed with corrective actions. The first item listed was, “manual extension crank improperly stowed” with a corrective action being “stow crank properly.” ## Aircraft - Registration: [N745EP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N745EP), registered now, S/N 414-0498, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 414 (UNDESIGNATED SERIES) - Registry model: [Cessna 414](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-414) (registry code 2075908) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 414-0498 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 6358.3 - Engines: Continental Motors Inc TSIO-520-NCNB 325 horsepower reciprocating; Continental Motors Inc TSIO-520-NCNB 325 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2021 - Departed: 15J, Adel, GA - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: AGS, Augusta Regional Airport, runway 35, 8,001 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 24, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,207 total, 498 in this make and model, 1,071 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.91 inHg - Observed at: AGS - METAR: METAR KAGS 261353Z 01005KT 10SM CLR 24/19 A2991 RMK AO2 SLP126 T02390189 $= ## 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 20220926023459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220926023459A), Sep 26, 2022: Cessna 414, Augusta, GA, Substantial damage. On 09/26/2022, I was notified by the roc that an aircraft [privacy data omitted], CE-414, landing on runway 35, at Augusta, Georgia, (kags), at 1326 (UTC), the… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 30, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106141. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15960973&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Accident%20Incident%20Report%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 7 pages, 6 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15961258&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record (pilot) (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15961070&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFR%20(Pilot)-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statement (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 168 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15961080&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Mechanic email statement (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 413 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15961162&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Mechanic%20Email%20Statement%20-%20Redacted-Rel.pdf - C414 - service manual - landing gear system (item 6, PDF, 3 pages, 172 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15960312&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=C414%20-%20Service%20Manual%20-%20Landing%20Gear%20System-Rel.pdf - C414 airplane flight manual - excerpt (item 7, PDF, 2 pages, 186 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16577398&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=C414_AFM_Landing%20Gear%20Extension-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 8, PDF, 2 pages, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15960870&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Wreckage%20Release%20Form%20-%20Redacted-Rel.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.