# NTSB FTW96LA016: Cessna 182E, N3198Y, Fort Collins, CO, October 12, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 12, 1995, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Fort Collins, CO - Coordinates: 40.649044, -105.029655 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6490&lon=-105.0297&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19688 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19688/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA016 ## Probable cause a fatigue failure of the right main landing gear. Factors were the pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point and his inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,main gear - fatigue (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence - object - fence post ## Analysis The aircraft touched down short of runway 11 and then landed hard on the runway. The right main landing gear separated from the aircraft and the aircraft skidded off the runway, crossed a taxiway and hit a fence. Winds were reported from the southwest at 15 MPH gusting to 30. Examination of the fractured surface at the landing gear separation point provided evidence that the fracture was the result of fatigue initiated by fretting where the landing gear attached to the fuselage. ## Factual narrative On October 12, 1995, at 1000 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182E, N3198Y, lost the right main landing gear on touch down at Fort Collins Community Airpark, Fort Collins, Colorado. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The flight was operating under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for this business flight which originated from Fort Morgan, Colorado, approximately 0730. The aircraft was landing on runway 11. The witness (statement enclosed) reported southwest winds at 15 to 20 mph with gust to 30 mph. This witness observed the airplane in a 10 to 15 degree right bank "drop to the runway from a height of 3 to 4 feet and touchdown on the right main landing gear" shearing off the right gear. The pilot applied power and the next touchdown was "on the runway on the belly, horizontal stabilizer, and landing gear." Subsequently, the airplane exited the right side of the runway, crossed a taxiway, and hit a fence. Examination, by the FAA inspector revealed, ground scars corresponding to the main landing gear tires 88 feet short of the runway threshold. At 10 feet short of the threshold, a right main landing gear tire impression was found, and at three feet short of the threshold, a left main landing gear tire mark was found. The tire marks that were found on the runway 31 feet from the threshold matched the marks found short of the runway. A 14 inch by 1.5 inch gouge three inches in depth was found 31 feet beyond the initial runway touchdown point. A scrape mark was found from the gouge to where the aircraft came to rest. Pieces of green glass were found along the scraped area and the right wing exhibited tip damage with the position light separated and missing from the wing. The aircraft lower right fuselage was crushed inward, the right wing was bent upward with tip damage and the right wing fuel tank integrity was compromised and approximately 15 gallons of fuel spilled onto the taxiway. The pilot, during an interview, conducted by the FAA inspector, stated the flight and approach were normal with no aircraft problems noted until touchdown. The pilot did not provide information concerning the touch down short of the runway. Portions of the right main landing gear were sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory for examination. Detail examination revealed a fracture "typical of a cracking region." The origin area of the fatigue cracking was located in an area that contained fretting damage from contact with the clamping mechanism. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3198Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3198Y), registered now, S/N 18254198, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182E - Registry model: [Cessna 182E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182e) (registry code 2072712) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18254198 - Airframe hours: 4100 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kula Grain Company - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1995, 40 hours before - Departed: 3V4, FORT MORGAN, CO - Destination: 3V5 - Airport: 3V5, Downtown Fort Collins, runway 11, 4,699 × 48 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 2,350 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 15 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FNL, 10 nm away ## 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 19951012032919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951012032919A), Oct 12, 1995: Cessna 182E, Fort Collins, CO, Substantial damage. Landed short then impacted runway. Main landing gear separated. Gear tore off due fatigue. Excessive crosswind. ## Other investigations on N3198Y (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 MIA70F0231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70F0231), Oct 22, 1969: Cessna 182 (N3198Y), Muscle Shoals, AL, substantial damage 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.