# NTSB LAX87LA328: Cessna 310D, N39DD, Lancaster, CA, August 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1987, 12:53 local (19:53 UTC)
- Place: Lancaster, CA
- Coordinates: 34.71968, -118.149177 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7197&lon=-118.1492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25684
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA328
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25684/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA328

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - landing gear,nose gear
  - gear down and locked - not possible
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - failure,total (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC) RPRTD THAT HE HEARD A LOUD BANG DURING GEAR RETRACTION AFTER TAKEOFF. BY USING THE CONVEX MIRRORS MOUNTED ON THE TIP TANKS, HE DETERMINED THAT THE NOSE GEAR WAS HANGING. HE CYCLED THE LANDING GEAR SWITCH SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE NOSE GEAR DID NOT MOVE. THE PIC STATED THAT HE ELECTED TO LAND ON A SMOOTH SECTION OF GROUND WHICH WAS THE APPROACH TO RWY 24. HE STATED THAT DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE GEAR SWUNG INTO ITS WHEEL WELL, BUT THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. THE ACFT THEN TURNED TO THE LEFT & THE RGT MAIN GEAR FAILED FROM SIDE LOADING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT SLID TO A STOP WITH BOTH TIP TANKS BROKEN OFF. AN EXAM REVEALED THE NOSE GEAR ROD END LINK THAT CONNECTED TO THE LANDING GEAR TRANSMISSION GEARBOX HAD FRACTURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39DD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39DD-1989-08-26), registration cancelled 1989-08-26, S/N 39140 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310D
- Registry model: [Cessna 310D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310d) (registry code 2074212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 39140
- Airframe hours: 6000
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-A1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harry H. Richardson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 17, 1987, 130 hours before
- Departed: WJF
- Destination: O17, GRASS VALLEY, CA
- Airport: WJF, William J. Fox, runway 24, 5,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,129 total, 178 in this make and model, 1,129 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: WJF

## 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 19870830053299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870830053299A), Aug 30, 1987: Cessna 310D, Lancaster, CA, Substantial damage. Unable to extend nose gear. Crashed short of rwy after cutting both engines. Failed to use AFM gear up procedures.

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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