# NTSB FTW96LA402: Cessna TR182, N757QT, Telluride, CO, August 24, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 23, 1996, 18:40 local (Aug 24, 1996, 00:40 UTC) - Place: Telluride, CO - Coordinates: 37.939857, -107.899749 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9399&lon=-107.8997&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 1, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19990 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA402 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19990/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA402 ## Probable cause failure of the generator control unit (GCU), which resulted in a total electrical failure and failure of the main landing gear to lock in place. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - gear extension - initiated, pilot in command - electrical system - failure,total (cause) - Gear collapsed, landing ## Analysis As the pilot lowered the landing gear, there was a total electrical failure. He said he could not recall if he observed a GEAR DOWN AND LOCKED indication. He attempted to reset the alternator/voltage regulator circuit breaker, but to no avail. During the landing, the main landing gear collapsed, but the nose landing gear remained down and locked. The airplane skidded off the runway, damaging the left horizontal stabilizer forward and aft spars. Postaccident examination by a repair facility (and later confirmed by the manufacturer) disclosed the generator control unit (GCU) had failed. ## Factual narrative On August 23, 1996, approximately 1840 mountain daylight time, a Cessna TR182, N757QT, was substantially damaged when the main landing gear collapsed during landing at Telluride, Colorado. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight that originated at Loveland, Colorado, on August 23, 1996, approximately 1630. According to the pilot, when he was 10 miles from the airport, he called for an airport advisory but got no reply. When he was 5 miles from the airport, he lowered the landing gear. The pilot said there was a total electrical failure, and he but could not recall if he observed a GEAR DOWN AND LOCKED indication. He attempted to reset the alternator/voltage regulator circuit breaker but to no avail. Upon landing, the left and right main landing gears collapsed; the nose landing gear was down and locked. This mishap was reported on the date of the occurrence as an incident. On September 23, 1996, the Denver Field Office of the National Transportation Safety Board was advised by the FAA's Salt Lake City, Utah, Flight Standards District Office that an airworthiness inspector had examined the airplane and found that the left horizontal stabilizer forward and aft spars were bent. A spokesman for West Star Aviation, a repair facility in Grand Junction, Colorado, reported the generator control unit (GCU) had failed. The unit was sent to Precision Airmotive in Everett, Washington, for examination and testing. A company spokesman identified the GCU as one of their products and confirmed the unit had failed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N757QT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N757QT), registered now, S/N R18201258, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna TR182 - Registry model: [Cessna TR182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tr182) (registry code 2072735) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R18201258 - Airframe hours: 1710 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-L3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William A. Stern - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 1995, 69 hours before - Departed: FNL, LOVELAND, CO - Destination: TEX - Airport: TEX, Telluride Regional, runway 9, 6,870 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 460 total, 371 in this make and model, 460 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TEX ## 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 19960823031399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960823031399A), Aug 23, 1996: Cessna TR182, Telluride, CO, Substantial damage. (.4)As the pilot lowered the landing gear, there was a total electrical failure. He said he could not recall if he observed a gear down and locked indication.… ## Other investigations on N757QT (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 CEN13CA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA319), May 25, 2013: Cessna TR182 (N757QT), Emporia, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to lower the landing gear prior to landing. 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.