# NTSB GAA16CA074: Cessna 177, N2112Q, Palm Springs, CA, November 14, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 14, 2015, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Palm Springs, CA - Coordinates: 33.83139, -116.509162 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8314&lon=-116.5092&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 14, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Riverside FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 92424 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92424/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92424 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA074 ## Probable cause The failure of a shaft seal at the nose gear retraction/extension actuator, which resulted in a loss of hydraulic fluid and a main landing gear collapse during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: landing gear actuator](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023233): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023233/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023233/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 995 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 1,789 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff initial climb, after the landing gear was retracted, the landing gear's hydraulic pump electric motor continued to run, even though the landing gear appeared to be fully retracted, as viewed in the landing gear mirror. The pilot then attempted to extend the landing gear normally, but the landing gear would not indicate down and locked. Subsequently, for over an hour, the pilot attempted to manually extend the landing gear, using the emergency manual gear extension hand pump, but he could see in the mirror that the landing gear was only partially extended. During the subsequent emergency landing, the main landing gear collapsed and the airplane skidded to a stop on the runway. The right stabilator sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination revealed that the landing gear system was empty of hydraulic fluid. After the system was serviced with hydraulic fluid and operated, a leak was found at the nose gear actuator due to the failure of a shaft seal. The tests revealed that the landing gear extension process could not be completed, and the manual landing gear pump did not have sufficient fluid remaining to extend all three landing gear. The airplane logbooks revealed no records of service to the nose gear actuator and shaft seal and each were the original manufactured parts. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the takeoff initial climb, after the landing gear was retracted, the landing gear's hydraulic pump electric motor continued to run, even though the landing gear appeared to be fully retracted, as viewed in the landing gear mirror. The pilot then attempted to extend the landing gear normally, but the landing gear would not indicate down and locked. Subsequently, for over an hour, the pilot attempted to manually extend the landing gear, using the emergency manual gear extension hand pump, but he could see in the mirror that the landing gear was only partially extended. During the subsequent emergency landing, the main landing gear collapsed and the airplane skidded to a stop on the runway. The right stabilator sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination revealed that the landing gear system was empty of hydraulic fluid. After the system was serviced with hydraulic fluid and operated, a leak was found at the nose gear actuator due to the failure of a shaft seal. The tests revealed that the landing gear extension process could not be completed, and the manual landing gear pump did not have sufficient fluid remaining to extend all three landing gear. The airplane logbooks revealed no records of service to the nose gear actuator and shaft seal and each were the original manufactured parts. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2112Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2112Q), registered now, S/N 177RG0512, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177 (RG) - Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 177RG0512 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 3289 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 17, 2015 - Departed: UDD, PALM SPRINGS, CA - Destination: HMT, HEMET, CA - Airport: PSP, Palm Springs Intl, runway 31R, 4,952 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 22, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,596 total, 603 in this make and model, 3,132 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KPSP ## 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 20151114019279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151114019279A), Nov 14, 2015: Cessna 177RG, Palm Springs, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed bermuda dunes airport, CA in route to hemet ryan airport, CA. Just after takeoff the pilot was experiencing an issue with the landing gear… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 7, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92424. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437361&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic Examination Report (item 2, .PDF, 164 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437363&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airframe%20and%20Powerplant%20Mechanic%20Examination%20Report-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437364&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.PDF 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.