# NTSB FTW97LA157: Beech BE-95, N2702Y, San Antonio, TX, April 7, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 7, 1997, 13:08 local (18:08 UTC) - Place: San Antonio, TX - Coordinates: 29.540689, -98.489746 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5407&lon=-98.4897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20197 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA157 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20197/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA157 ## Probable cause The failure of the right main gear due to improper repair by the company maintenance personnel. ## 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 - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - locked (cause) - maintenance,replacement - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause) - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis During the final approach for the runway, the right main landing gear did not extend. The pilot initiated a go-around and performed the emergency procedure for gear extension; however, the right main gear still did not extend. During the subsequent emergency landing roll, the left main gear and the nose gear collapsed and the airplane departed the runway. A maintenance record entry stated that the right main landing gear uplock cable assembly, P/N 35-815109, was installed, connected, lubed, and safety wired, in February 1997 (tachometer time 531.0 hours, total airframe time 5,431.3 hours). The aircraft was then jacked and the gear swung to verify correct operation of [the] uplock cable and aircraft step and 'all [was] found to be operating normally.' Following the accident, examination of the airplane revealed that the uplock assembly mechanism was jammed. The bolt which secures the release lanyard to the uplock mechanism had been installed in reverse. The nut on the bolt was on the aft side of the uplock attach point which caused interference between the nut and a metal guide shelf on the airframe. The interference was sufficient to jam the uplock in the locked position. ## Factual narrative On April 7, 1997, at 1308 central daylight time, a Beech BE-95, N2702Y, owned and operated by Stellax Inc., under Title 14 CFR Part 91, was substantially damaged when the right main landing gear did not extend and the left main gear and the nose gear collapsed during the landing roll on runway 12L at the San Antonio International Airport, San Antonio, Texas. The commercial pilot and 3 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross country flight and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated at 1043 from Fort Worth, Texas. During interviews, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that during the final approach for runway 12L, the right main landing gear failed to extend. The pilot initiated a go-around and performed the emergency procedure for gear extension; however, the right main gear still did not extend. During the subsequent emergency landing, the left main gear and the nose gear collapsed. The airplane departed the runway and came to rest in the grass to the side of the runway. Airport personnel reported damage to the wings and propellers. Maintenance personnel from a fixed base operator reported damage to the fuselage, wing structures, propellers, and wheel wells. Examination of the landing gear system revealed that the uplock assembly mechanism was jammed. In January 1998, the right main gear was examined by an NTSB investigator in Long Beach, California. The investigator found that the bolt which secures the release lanyard to the uplock mechanism had been installed in reverse. The nut on the bolt was on the aft side of the uplock attach point which caused interference between the nut and a metal guide shelf on the airframe. The interference was sufficient to jam the uplock in the locked position. Maintenance records, reviewed by the investigator-in-charge, revealed the right main landing gear uplock cable assembly, P/N 35-815109, was installed, connected, lubed, and safety wired, in February 1997 (tachometer time 531.0 hours, total airframe time 5,431.3 hours). The aircraft was then jacked and the gear swung to verify correct operation of [the] uplock cable and aircraft step and "all [was] found to be operating normally." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2702Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2702Y-2012-09-21), registration cancelled 2012-09-21, S/N TD-34, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech BE-95 - Registry model: [Beech 95](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-95) (registry code 1153402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TD-34 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Axel Mohr - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 11, 1996 - Departed: 52F, FORT WORTH, TX - Destination: SAT - Airport: SAT, San Antonio International, runway 12L, 5,519 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 369 total, 25 in this make and model, 304 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19970407009259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970407009259A), Apr 7, 1997: Beech 95, San Antonio, TX, Substantial damage. Narrative: right gear did not come down. Tried to lower manual, tried to recycle, still no right main. Landed without right main - (idle engines at 50' alt)… ## Other investigations on N2702Y (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 CHI67F0578](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67F0578), Apr 8, 1967: Beech 95 (N2702Y), Houghton Lake, MI, 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.