# NTSB LAX91LA328: Beech 76, N6045M, Sacramento, CA, July 24, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1991, 12:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Sacramento, CA
- Coordinates: 38.510299, -121.490676 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5103&lon=-121.4907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27304
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA328
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27304/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA328

## Probable cause

A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE LANDING GEAR STRUT DUE TO AN INADEQUATE DESIGN BY THE MANUFACTURER.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL NOT HAVING COMPLETED AN INSPECTION OF THE GEAR STRUT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE BULLETIN.

## 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 spring - fatigue (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate aircraft component, manufacturer (cause)
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not performed, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED AIRLINE PILOT/FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND, WAS DEMONSTRATING A SINGLE ENGINE LANDING TO A CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT/DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL STUDENT.  DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT.  THE PIC ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE DRIFT BY INCREASING THE RIGHT ENGINE POWER AND APPLYING LEFT RUDDER.  THE AIRPLANE RIGHT WING BEGAN TO SETTLE TO THE GROUND AND THE PILOT SHUT DOWN BOTH ENGINES.  THE AIRPLANE RECEIVED DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT GEAR FLAPS AND PROPELLER.  AN INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT GEAR STRUT WAS BROKEN AT AN INSPECTION HOLE PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE GEAR STRUT WAS THE SUBJECT OF A MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE BULLETIN AND SUBSEQUENT FAA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE THAT REQUIRED AN INSPECTION FOR CRACKS. MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL HAD RECEIVED THE SERVICE BULLETIN BUT HAD NOT SCHEDULED AN INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6045M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6045M-2021-08-02), registration cancelled 2021-08-02, S/N ME-184, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 76
- Registry model: [Beech 76](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-76) (registry code 1153005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: ME184
- Airframe hours: 2384
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Altair Aviation Corp.
- Registered owner: David Justice & Assoc. & Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 26, 1991, 80 hours before
- Departed: 2Q3, DAVIS, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SAC, Sacramento Executive, runway 2, 5,503 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 9,200 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 6,750 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAC, 1 nm away

## 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 19910724029749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910724029749A), Jul 24, 1991: Beech 76, Sacramento, CA, Substantial damage. Right landing gear collapsed on landing roll. A frame strut had broken. Service bulletin had not been accomplished.

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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