# NTSB LAX03LA143: Cessna 180A, N9759B, Scottsdale, AZ, April 26, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 26, 2003, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Scottsdale, AZ - Coordinates: 33.622776, -111.910552 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6228&lon=-111.9106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 56900 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56900/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA143 ## Probable cause The failure of a main landing gear axle bolt, and the subsequent separation of the right main landing gear wheel from the gear strut during the landing roll, which resulted in a collapse of the right main landing gear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - miscellaneous,bolt/nut/fastener/clamp/spring - fractured (cause) - landing gear,wheel - separation (cause) - landing gear,main gear - collapsed - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll ## Analysis The tailwheel equipped airplane had a gear failure while attempting a wheel landing. After a normal touchdown, the airplane lurched to the left and the right main landing gear wheel departed the airplane. The right main landing gear strut folded under the fuselage and the right wing tip contacted the runway surface. The airplane came to rest on its right side. The pilot thought that an "abrupt left brake grab" placed a side load on the right gear, which resulted in the failure of the right main landing gear wheel. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintenance inspector stated that the forward, upper bolt connecting the axle to the backing plate had sheered off. The other three bolts had twisted off, separating the wheel from the airplane, which he believed occurred after the initial bolt had failed. He thought it was possible that the bolts installed were the original bolts that the airplane was outfitted with in 1957. He believed there was a significant possibility that the sheered bolt had failed due to its age and extended use. ## Factual narrative On April 26, 2003, about 1145 mountain standard time, a Cessna 180A, N9759B, experienced a gear failure while attempting to land at Scottsdale Airport (SDL), Scottsdale, Arizona. The pilot/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. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed. The personal local flight departed SDL about 1015. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was attempting to make a wheel landing on runway 21. After a normal touchdown, the airplane lurched to the left and the right main landing gear wheel departed the airplane. The right main landing gear strut folded under the fuselage and the right wing tip contacted the runway surface. The airplane came to rest on its right side. The pilot thought that an "abrupt left brake grab" placed a side load on the right gear, which resulted in the failure of the right main landing gear wheel. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintenance inspector stated that the forward, upper bolt connecting the axle to the backing plate had sheered off. The other three bolts had twisted off, separating the wheel from the airplane, which he believe occurred after the initial bolt had failed. He thought it was possible that the bolts installed were the original bolts that the airplane was outfitted with in 1957. He believed there was a great possibility that the sheered bolt had failed due to its age and extended use. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9759B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9759B), registered now, S/N 50057, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180A - Registry model: [Cessna 180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180a) (registry code 2072604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 50057 - Airframe hours: 4126 - Engines: Continental O-470K 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 2002, 37 hours before - Departed: KSDL, Scottsdale, AZ - Destination: KSDL, Scottsdale, AZ - Airport: SDL, Scottsdale, runway 21, 8,249 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 23, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 800 in this make and model, 7,700 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: KSDL ## 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 20030426013889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030426013889A), Apr 26, 2003: Cessna 180A, Scottsdale, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft was observed by ATC making a normal approach and landing at sdl. As the aircraft slowed to exit the runway, the right main 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.