# NTSB FTW99LA156: Cessna 195, N2151C, Conroe, TX, May 31, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 1999, 14:58 local (19:58 UTC) - Place: Conroe, TX - Coordinates: 30.379695, -95.380706 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3797&lon=-95.3807&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46426 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46426/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA156 ## Probable cause The fatigue fracture of the left main landing gear spring at the clamping mechanism, as a result of fretting. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear spring - worn (cause) - landing gear,main gear spring - fatigue (cause) - landing gear,main gear spring - fractured (cause) - landing gear - separation ## Analysis During the landing roll, the pilot heard a loud pop, then the left wing dropped to the runway, and the airplane slid about 50 to 75 feet before coming to a stop. The left main landing gear was found in the middle of the runway, approximately 80 to 90 feet from where the airplane came to a stop. The inboard section of the separated left main landing gear spring was sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory for examination. The examination revealed that fatigue had initiated from an area that contained fretting damage from contact with the clamping mechanism. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 1999, at 1458 central daylight time, a Cessna 195 single-engine tail wheel equipped airplane, N2151C, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged during landing at the Montgomery County Airport near Conroe, Texas. The private pilot and the three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from the David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport, Houston, Texas, at 1430. The pilot reported that during landing on runway 19, he made a wheel landing, and a tail high attitude was maintained until the tail started to lower with "speed drop off." During the landing roll, the pilot "heard a loud pop, then about 2 seconds later the [left] wing dropped to the runway and we started to slide." The aircraft slid about 50 to 75 feet before coming to a stop. The pilot found the left main landing gear in the middle of the runway, approximately 80 to 90 feet from where the airplane came to a stop. An examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed that the left main landing gear was separated from the fuselage, the left wing was wrinkled, and the left aileron was damaged. The inboard section of the separated left main landing gear spring was sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory for examination. The examination revealed that "fatigue initiated from an area that contained fretting damage from contact with the clamping mechanism. Fretting on the upper surface extended almost to the aft edge of the spring. Similar areas of fretting were noted on the bottom surface near the fracture and around the bolt hole." See the enclosed Metallurgist's Factual Report for details of the examination. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2151C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2151C), registered now, S/N 16136, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 195 - Registry model: [Cessna 195B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-195b) (registry code 2073112) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jacobs R755B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755b-series) (registry code 35007, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 16136 - Airframe hours: 3635 - Engines: Jacobs R755B-2 275 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Samual R. Jones - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1998, 26 hours before - Departed: DWH, HOUSTON, TX - Destination: CXO - Airport: CXO, Montgomery County, runway 19, 3,974 × 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--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 487 total, 26 in this make and model, 412 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °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 19990531006179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990531006179A), May 31, 1999: Cessna 195B, Conroe, TX, Substantial damage. Acft landed and ground looped and both struts collapsed and damaged a wing. (From .19) on may 31, 1999, at 1458 central daylight time, a Cessna 195 single… ## Other investigations on N2151C (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 FTW71FRJ36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71FRJ36), Jun 5, 1971: Cessna 195B (N2151C), Mt.Enterprise, TX, 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.