# NTSB FTW98LA201: Cessna 320D, N3316Q, Greybull, WY, May 1, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 1, 1998, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Greybull, WY - Coordinates: 44.490253, -108.049407 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4903&lon=-108.0494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20591 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA201 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20591/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA201 ## Probable cause Stress overload failure of the bellcrank assembly of the left landing gear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, taxi - from landing - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - failure,total (cause) ## Analysis After landing, the pilot turned the airplane around and back taxied towards the ramp. As he exited the runway, the left landing gear collapsed. Postaccident inspection revealed that the left landing gear bellcrank assembly sustained a stress overload, causing the assembly to break and shear both assembly bolts. The gear retract arm was also found broken. When the gear collapsed, the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer struck the ground and were substantially damaged. ## Factual narrative On May 1, 1998, approximately 0900 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 320D, N3316Q, operated by Star West Industries, Inc., was substantially damaged while taxiing after landing at Greybull, Wyoming. The airline transport rated pilot and his four passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the air taxi flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 135, and an IFR flight had been filed. The flight originated at Evanston, Wyoming approximately 0745. After landing on runway 33 at South Bighorn County Airport, the pilot turned the airplane around and back taxied towards the ramp. As he exited the runway, the left landing gear collapsed. Postaccident inspection of the landing gear performed by an FAA inspector revealed that the left landing gear bellcrank assembly sustained a stress overload, causing the assembly to break and shear both assembly bolts. The gear retract arm was also found broken. When the gear collapsed, the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer struck the ground and were substantially damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3316Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3316Q), registered now, S/N 320D0116, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 320D - Registry model: [Cessna 320D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-320d) (registry code 2074512) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 320D-0116 - Airframe hours: 4536 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-ECBB 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Star West Industries, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 26, 1998, 7 hours before - Departed: EVW, EVANSTON, WY - Destination: GEY - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: GEY, South Big Horn County, runway 33, 6,300 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 15,508 total, 800 in this make and model, 159 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F ## 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 19980501008219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980501008219A), May 1, 1998: Cessna 320D, Greybull, WY, Substantial damage. Left main landing gear collapsed while taxiing to park. Left bellcrank assesmbly broke. (.4)after landing, the pilot turned the airplane around and back taxied… 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.