# NTSB FTW99LA184: Cessna T303, N400T, Houston, TX, May 28, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 28, 1999, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Houston, TX - Coordinates: 29.610799, -95.120063 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6108&lon=-95.1201&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46744 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA184 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46744/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA184 ## Probable cause The collapse of the nose landing gear for an undetermined reason. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis The nose landing gear collapsed upon landing. According to the pilot, he observed the illuminated three green landing gear position lights, after he extended the landing gear on the downwind leg. He visually confirmed that the nose landing gear was extended by referencing a mirror mounted on the left engine nacelle. The main landing gear contacted the runway, and the pilot began to 'release elevator back pressure.' Subsequently, the nose landing gear collapsed when it contacted the runway. An examination of the hydraulic landing gear system, by an FAA certified mechanic, revealed that the operating pressure was 'within manufacturer's tolerances at 850 psi and the fluid level was normal.' The reason for the collapse of the nose landing gear was not determined. ## Factual narrative On May 28, 1999, at 1600 central daylight time, a Cessna T303 multi-engine airplane, N400T, was substantially damaged when the nose landing gear collapsed upon landing at the West Houston Airport, near Houston, Texas. The instrument rated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to Plaza One Inc., of Austin, Texas, and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight originated from the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, Texas, at 1545. According to the 4,769-hour pilot, he "extended the landing gear upon the downwind position for a landing on runway 33." He observed the illuminated three green landing gear position lights, indicating that the landing gear was extended, and he visually confirmed that the nosegear was extended by referencing a mirror that was mounted on the left engine nacelle. The main landing gear contacted the runway, and the pilot began to "release elevator back pressure." Subsequently, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane skidded approximately 300 yards and came to a stop nose down on the runway. The pilot added that the touchdown speed was 80 knots. An FAA inspector examined the airplane and stated that the nose landing gear was damaged and that all of the six propeller blades were bent aft. He added that the bulkhead within the nosecone was structurally damaged. The airplane was examined by an FAA certified mechanic at Outlaw Aircraft Sales Inc., Clarksville, Tennessee. He reported that the damaged bulkhead was not repairable. The hydraulic landing gear system was examined and it was noted that the operating pressure was "within manufacturer's tolerances at 850 psi and the hydraulic fluid level was normal." The reason for the collapse of the nose landing gear was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N400T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N400T-2004-07-27), registration cancelled 2004-07-27, S/N T30300016, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna T303 - Registry model: [Cessna T303](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t303) (registry code 2073820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [TCM Cont TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/tcm-cont-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17060, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T30300016 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520AE 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: George R. Eeds - Registered owner: Plaza One, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: IAH, TX - Destination: IWS - Airport: IWS, West Houston, runway 33, 3,955 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,769 total, 910 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 61 °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 19990528017599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990528017599A), May 28, 1999: Cessna T303, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. (.19)On may 28, 1999, at 1600 central daylight time a Cessna T303 multi-engine airplane, N400T, was substantially damaged when the nose landing gear collapsed… 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.