# NTSB FTW96LA064: Cessna 310D, N6925T, Fort Worth, TX, December 9, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 8, 1995, 18:37 local (Dec 9, 1995, 00:37 UTC) - Place: Fort Worth, TX - Coordinates: 32.820507, -97.359901 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8205&lon=-97.3599&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 7, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19722 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19722/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA064 ## Probable cause Failure of the left main landing gear strut at the fork weld. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,main gear strut - failure (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - directional control - not possible - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The pilot was cleared for a VFR approach to runway 34R. On final approach, the landing gear was extended, and the landing gear green lights illuminated. As the airplane touched down, the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane exited the runway to the left and came to rest in a drainage ditch. Examination of the left main landing gear revealed a separation at the weld of the strut and fork. The airplane was landed hard several months prior to the accident, and a hard landing inspection was accomplished. However, the inspection did not reveal any anomalies or defects. ## Factual narrative On December 8, 1995, at 1837 central standard time, a Cessna 310D, N6925T, registered to, and operated by Aer Mistral Inc. as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, was substantially damaged during landing at Fort Worth Meacham Airport, Fort Worth, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an IFR flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot and his safety pilot were not injured. The flight originated from Fort Worth, Texas, about 2 hours 52 minutes before the accident with stops at Mineral Wells and Gainesville, Texas. The pilot reported the following information in a written statement. He was cleared for a VFR approach to runway 34R. The landing gear was extended on final approach and the landing gear green lights illuminated. As the airplane touched down the left main landing gear collapsed. A FAA inspector reported that, the airplane exited the runway to the left and came to rest in a drainage ditch. The fuselage forward of the tail was wrinkled and the right wing spar was damaged. Examination of the left main landing gear revealed a separation at the weld of the strut and fork. The FAA inspector further reported the airplane was landed hard several months prior to the accident. A hard landing inspection was accomplished. However, the inspection did not reveal any anomalies or defects. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6925T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6925T-1996-08-09), registration cancelled 1996-08-09, S/N 39225 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 310D - Registry model: [Cessna 310D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310d) (registry code 2074212) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 39225 - Engines: Continental IO-470-D 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Aer Mistral, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: GLE, GAINESVILLE, TX - Destination: FTW - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: FTW, Fort Worth Meacham, runway 34R, 7,501 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,389 total, 56 in this make and model, 1,257 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 20° at 15 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FTW ## 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 19951208040219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951208040219A), Dec 8, 1995: Cessna 310D, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. Left main landing gear collapsed landing. Veered into ditch. Strut and fork weld separated. Prior hard landing. ## Other investigations on N6925T (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 MKC72DCG32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72DCG32), Sep 30, 1971: Cessna 310D (N6925T), Lamar, MO, 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.