# NTSB LAX85LA264: Beech 65-A90, N22WC, San Jose, CA, May 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1985, 07:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.340656, -121.900436 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3407&lon=-121.9004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24732
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA264
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24732/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA264

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - fatigue (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - fatigue (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear - separation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE LANDING THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR OF THE AIRCRAFT SEPERATED WHEN THE UPPER TORQUE KNEE LINK FAILED. AFTER THE GEAR SEPARATED THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY COMING TO REST IN A GRASS AREA. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED TORQUE KNEE REVEALED IT FAILED DUE TO FATIGUE CRACKING WHICH WAS CAUSED BY GOUGES IN THE SURFACE OF THE LINK WHICH CAUSED STRESS CONCENTRATIONS. THE GOUGES HAD BEEN PAINTED OVER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS MAINTAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH BEECH AIRCRAFT CORPORTATIONS PROGRESSIVE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM WHICH REQUIRES THE LANDING GEAR TORQUE KNEE LINKS TO BE REPLACED OR OVERHAULED EACH 5 YEARS OR 5000 CYCLES. NO RECORD OF THIS HAVING BEEN ACCOMPLISHED COULD BE FOUND IN THE AIRCRAFTS LOGBOOKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N22WC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Beech 65-A90
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: LJ-214
- Airframe hours: 6363
- Engines: P&W PT6A-20 550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: King Hi-Tech Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, August 11, 1984, 133 hours before
- Departed: APV, APPLE VALLEY, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SJC, San Jose International, runway 30, 4,418 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,500 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 7,500 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJC

## 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 19850530021169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850530021169A), May 30, 1985: Beech 65A90, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. Right main gear separated after touchdown. Aircraft veered off runway. Gear torque link failed due to fatigue crack

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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