# NTSB LAX06CA167: Cessna 310N, N5096Q, Lincoln, CA, April 3, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 2, 2006, 20:16 local (Apr 3, 2006, 03:16 UTC)
- Place: Lincoln, CA
- Coordinates: 38.909168, -121.351387
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9092&lon=-121.3514&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63692
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06CA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63692/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA167

## Probable cause

The collapse of the nose gear due to an out of tolerance nose gear over center adjustment.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - worn (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear - collapsed

## Analysis

While transitioning from landing to taxiing the pilot experienced a bumping sound, which was followed by the collapse of the nose gear.  Examination of photographs of the damage revealed that several inches of the nose fuselage structure had been ground down by contact with the runway pavement.  The nose gear was examined by an airframe and power plant (A&P) mechanic.  The mechanic reported that the nose gear drive tube was bent inboard 90 degrees, suggesting that the nose over center adjustment was out of tolerance, and a sufficient impact could cause the gear to unlock from the down position.  There was no evidence of mechanical failure or foreign object damage.

## Factual narrative

On April 2, 2006, at 2016 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 310N, N5096Q, experienced a nose landing gear collapse during the landing roll at Lincoln Regional Airport, Lincoln, California.  The student pilot operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The pilot and passenger were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged.  Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.  The flight originated at Sacramento International Airport, Sacramento, California, at 1845.

The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator report that while transitioning from landing to taxing he experienced a bumping sound, which was followed by the collapse of the nose gear.  Examination of photographs of the damage revealed that several inches of the nose fuselage structure had been ground down by contact with the runway pavement.  The National Transportation Safety Board investigator had the nose gear examined by an airframe and power plant (A&P) mechanic.  The mechanic reported that the nose gear drive tube was bent inboard 90 degrees, suggesting that the nose over center adjustment was out of tolerance, and a sufficient impact could cause the gear to unlock from the down position.  There was no evidence of mechanical failure or foreign object damage.  The pilot reported that the last annual inspection occurred in May 2005.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5096Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5096Q-2013-08-13), registration cancelled 2013-08-13, S/N 310N-0196, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 310N
- Registry model: [Cessna 310N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310n) (registry code 2074234) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310N-0196
- Engines: Teledyen Continental IO-470 reciprocating; Teledyne Continental IO-470 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Peterson
- Registered owner: Robert Peterson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2005
- Departed: KSMF, Sacramento, CA
- Destination: KLHM, Lincoln, CA
- Airport: KLHM, Lincoln Regional, runway 15, 6,001 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 47; student; medical: class 3; flight hours: 40 total, 10 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

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.

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