# NTSB LAX08LA086: Cessna 402, N4010Q, Henderson, NV, March 26, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 26, 2008, 15:50 local (22:50 UTC) - Place: Henderson, NV - Coordinates: 39.479694, -119.739242 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4797&lon=-119.7392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 9 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 15, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67727 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08LA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67727/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA086 ## Probable cause The failure of the left main landing gear torque link assembly for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 402, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=207590K), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure; cases with it: [Cessna 402, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=207590K), [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. - [Initial climb: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 402, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=207590K), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095); cases with it: [Cessna 402, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=207590K), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that following a normal takeoff he retracted the landing gear and noticed excessive drag. The pilot performed a low pass over the runway and ground-based witnesses observed that the right main landing gear appeared "twisted." The pilot then proceeded to his intended destination airport with emergency services and executed a gear up landing in gravel just short of the runway. Postaccident examination revealed that the left-hand main landing gear torque link upper attach fitting had fractured and the fracture surfaces exhibited an angular jagged matte, consistent with overload. The reason for the failure of the left main landing gear torque link assembly was undetermined. ## Factual narrative On March 26, 2008, at 1550 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 402, N4010Q, was substantially damaged during a gear up landing at the Henderson Executive Airport (HND), Henderson, Nevada. The airplane was registered to SkyVentures LLC, and operated by King Airelines, Inc., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the on-demand air taxi flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Canyon West Airport (1G4), Peach Springs, Arizona, at 1500. In a written statement, the pilot reported that following a normal takeoff from 1G4, he observed normal gear up and locked indications via the landing gear position lights. Immediately following the gear retraction, he noticed excessive drag and decided to perform a low approach to the runway so personnel on the ground could assess the situation. Ground based witnesses observed that the right landing gear appeared "twisted." The pilot continued the flight to HND where emergency services were available. He executed two low approaches to have ground crew reassess the condition of the landing gear. The pilot then executed an intentional gear up landing in a gravel area just short of the runway in an attempt to minimize damage to the airplane. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the left-hand main landing gear torque link upper attach fitting was separated and the fracture surfaces exhibited an angular jagged matte appearance. The reason for the failure of the left main landing gear torque link assembly was undetermined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4010Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4010Q-2009-02-05), registration cancelled 2009-02-05, S/N 402-0110, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 402 - Registry model: [Cessna 402](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402) (registry code 207590K) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402-0110 - Airframe hours: 13382.4 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-E reciprocating; Continental TSIO-520-E reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: King Airelines, Inc. - Registered owner: SkyVentures LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, February 1, 2008, 47.9 hours before - Departed: 1G4, Peach Springs, AZ - Destination: Henderson, NV - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: HND, Henderson Executive Airport, runway 17, 6,500 × 100 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 2,574 total, 650 in this make and model, 2,473 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 13 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: HND ## 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 20080326012599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080326012599A), Mar 26, 2008: Cessna 402CESSNA, Henderson, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft N4010Q, operated by king airlines, a part 135 air carrier, landed gear up at Henderson Executive Airport (hnd) at approximately 1551 local time,… ## Other investigations on N4010Q (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 MKC76AK071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76AK071), Jul 28, 1976: Cessna 401 (N4010Q), Farmington, MO, substantial damage 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.