FTW01LA044

During the landing roll, the airplane exited the runway following a failure of the right main landing gear to extend and lock into the down position. The operator reported a mechanical failure of the right main gear actuator. Total accumulated time on the part was approximately 3,500 hours. No open discrepancies were found in the maintenance records. All gear extension and retraction tests performed during several 100-hour inspections and the last annual inspection indicated that the gear retraction and extension checked 'normal.'

On December 22, 2000, at 1300 central standard time, a Cessna TR182, single-engine airplane, N2225T, sustained substantial damage during the landing roll when it exited the runway during landing in Little Rock, Arkansas. The airplane was owned by Laguna Verde Leasing of Dover, Delaware, and operated by Alpha Tango Flying Services, Inc., of San Antonio, Texas, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The airline transport rated pilot and his three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned cross-country flight to Toronto, Canada, with a refueling stop at Little Rock, Arkansas. A visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed. The flight originally departed San Antonio, Texas, at 0815.

The pilot reported that the flight was cleared for a full stop landing on runway 36 at the Adams Field Airport, at Little Rock, Arkansas. When the landing gear was extended, the green gear down and locked light illuminated; however, visual checks indicated that the right main landing gear was not down and locked. After several attempts to lower the right main landing gear, the pilot requested a low approach, with the tower controller performing a visual check for the right main landing gear. The tower controller confirmed that the right main landing gear was unlocked and seemed to be aft of centerline of the left main landing gear.

The pilot was cleared to land the airplane on runway 04L. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right off the runway, the right wing struck the ground, and the airplane turned 90 degrees before it came to rest.

The FAA inspector responding to the site, found structural damage to the right horizontal stabilizer and the right elevator. The right main gear and outboard right wing tip were damaged.

The FAA inspector reported that the "right main gear did not lock in place due to internal gear fracture between two teeth segments. The rod was sheared at this point. No signs of lack of hydraulic fluid or heat damage. The part was installed correctly prior to the failure."

On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) the operator reported that there was a mechanical failure of the right main gear actuator. Total accumulated time on the part was approximately 3,500 hours.

A review of the maintenance records revealed that on March 12, 1999, an overhauled motor had been installed in the landing gear power pack. Gear extension and retraction tests performed during several 100-hour inspections and the last annual inspection (June 30, 2000) indicated that the gear retraction and extension checks were "normal."