# NTSB LAX02LA142: Cessna 340A, N6304X, Lancaster, CA, April 23, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 23, 2002, 10:12 local (17:12 UTC) - Place: Lancaster, CA - Coordinates: 34.741111, -118.218887 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7411&lon=-118.2189&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 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54590 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54590/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54590 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA142 ## Probable cause The collapse of the right main landing gear as a result of a malfunctioning microswitch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,gear switch - malfunction (cause) ## Analysis Following a normal approach and landing, the right main landing gear collapsed during the landing rollout. Post accident examination revealed the landing gear selector was in the down position and the landing gear microswitches were dirty, but not cracked or broken. After maintenance personnel replaced the microswitches, the landing gear functioned properly. ## Factual narrative On April 23, 2002, at 1012 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 340A, N6304X, had the right main landing gear collapse during the landing rollout at General William J. Fox Field (WJF), Lancaster, California. The owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Four Corners Regional Airport (FMN), Farmington, New Mexico, at 0800. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written report by the pilot, he stated the approach and landing were normal. He touched down on the main wheels first, and then the nose wheel touched down. He rolled out approximately 1,200 feet, without applying brakes. Then, he heard a clicking noise coming from the right main gear and felt the right side collapse. He added full power to maintain right wing up and checked and confirmed three green lights on his landing gear indicator. The pilot slowly let the power subside and the airplane veered to the right side of the runway as the right landing gear collapsed. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that the landing gear collapsed during the landing rollout on runway 24, and determined that the airplane sustained substantial damage. He found the landing gear selector in the down position. Examination of the landing gear microswitches revealed they were dirty, but not cracked or broken. After maintenance personnel replaced the microswitches, the landing gear functioned properly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6304X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6304X), registered now, S/N 340A0475, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 340A - Registry model: [Cessna 340A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-340a) (registry code 2076405) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 340A0475 - Airframe hours: 3946 - Engines: Continental TS10-520-NB 310 horsepower reciprocating; Continental TS10-520-NB 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Roger J. Meyerstein - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 2001 - Departed: FMN, Farmington, NM - Destination: WJF, LANCASTER, CA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: WJF, General Wm. J. Fox Airfield, runway 24, 7,201 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 14, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 2,560 total, 450 in this make and model, 2,470 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: WJF ## 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 20020423008279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020423008279A), Apr 23, 2002: Cessna 340A, Lancaster, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On April 23, 2002, about 1012 pacific daylight time, a Cessna 340A, N6304X, had the landing gear collapse during the landing rollout at general william… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 19, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54590. 382 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 368 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432524&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation- FAA (item 2, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40188137&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-%20FAA-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.