# NTSB LAX04LA287: Cessna TR182, N4657S, Torrance, CA, August 6, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 6, 2004, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Torrance, CA - Coordinates: 33.803333, -118.339721 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8033&lon=-118.3397&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59870 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04LA287 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59870/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA287 ## Probable cause A wheels up landing due to the failure of the hydraulic hose leading to the nose gear actuator, which depleted the hydraulic system of pressurized fluid. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal - hydraulic system,line - separation (cause) - fluid,hydraulic - exhaustion (cause) - hydraulic system - inoperative (cause) - Wheels up landing, landing - flare/touchdown - gear extension - not possible ## Analysis The pilot landed with the airplane's landing gear partially extended following a failure of a hydraulic supply line. While in cruise flight the pilot heard a bang from under the airplane, and at the same time the gear up light on the instrument panel went out. He cycled the landing gear switch with no effect. He then pumped the manual landing gear handle with no effect. The gear down light did not illuminate. The pilot decided to return to the airport, and after discussing the situation with the tower he landed with the nose gear down and the main gear about halfway down. Examination of the airplane revealed that a braided hydraulic line leading to the nose gear hydraulic actuator had separated and pulled out of its connector fitting. Red fluid was on the airplane's skin behind the nose gear. A review of the maintenance logbook revealed that the airplane had its annual inspection signed off on April 13, 2004. During that inspection one of the two nose gear hydraulic actuator lines had been replaced. The newly installed hydraulic line was not the one that failed. According to the manufacturer, the hydraulic hose for the nose gear is inspected "on condition" and replacement is at the discretion of the inspecting mechanic or the airplane owner. ## Factual narrative On August 6, 2004, about 1400 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna TR182, N4657S, landed gear up at Zamperini Field, Torrance, California. The private pilot owned and operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot and passenger were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight plan had been filed. The personal cross-country flight was destined for Carlsbad, California, and originated at Torrance about 1200. The pilot told the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that while en route to Carlsbad he heard a bang from under the airplane, and at the same time the gear up light on the instrument panel went out. He cycled the landing gear switch with no effect. He then pumped the manual landing gear handle with no effect. The gear down light did not illuminate. The pilot decided to return to Torrance, and after discussing the situation with the tower he landed with the nose gear down and the main gear about halfway down. Examination of the airplane revealed that a braided hydraulic line leading to the nose gear hydraulic actuator had separated and pulled out of its connector fitting. Red fluid was on the airplane's skin behind the nose gear. A review of the maintenance logbook revealed that the airplane had its annual inspection signed off on April 13, 2004. During that inspection one of the two nose gear hydraulic actuator lines had been replaced. The newly installed hydraulic line was not the one that failed. According to the manufacturer, the hydraulic hose for the nose gear is inspected "on condition" and replacement is at the discretion of the inspecting mechanic or the airplane owner. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4657S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4657S), registered now, S/N R18201369, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna TR182 - Registry model: [Cessna TR182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tr182) (registry code 2072735) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R18201369 - Airframe hours: 1686 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-L3C5D 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gus E. Mevers - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, April 13, 2004, 12 hours before - Departed: KTOA, Torrance, CA - Destination: KCRQ, Carlsbad, CA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: KTOA, Zamperini Field, runway 29, 5,000 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 29, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 1,030 total, 670 in this make and model, 950 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 5 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KTOA ## 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 20040806016369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040806016369A), Aug 6, 2004: Cessna TR182, Torrance, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) M4657S, TR182, pilot reported an unsafe landing gear indication. Landed gear up runway 29R at Torrance, CA, municipal airport. Substantial damage. There… ## Other investigations on N4657S (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 ERA17LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA033), Oct 31, 2016: Cessna TR182 (N4657S), Watertown, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: A collapse of the main landing gear for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. 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.