# NTSB LAX94LA362: Beech B19, N19NH, Big Bear City, CA, September 11, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1994, 15:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Big Bear City, CA
- Coordinates: 34.259639, -116.84053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2596&lon=-116.8405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28858
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA362
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28858/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA362

## Probable cause

the failure and separation of the right main landing gear wheel assembly due to a preexisting and undetected crack.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - cracked (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear - failure,total (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT SHE MADE A NORMAL LANDING ON THE RUNWAY. DURING ROLLOUT, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE. THEREAFTER, THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED OFF THE RUNWAY INTO A GRASSY AREA AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION COORDINATOR REPORTED THAT AN INSPECTION OF THE FAILED LOWER SECTION OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR ASSEMBLY REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF 'A PREVIOUS CRACK' WHICH COULD NOT HAVE BEEN DETECTED DURING PREFLIGHT INSPECTION.

## Factual narrative

On September 11, 1994, at 1545 Pacific daylight time, a Beech B19, N19NH, operated by Ram Air Aviation, made a normal landing on runway 26 at the Big Bear City Airport, Big Bear, California.  The pilot reported that during rollout the right main landing gear separated from the airplane.  Thereafter, the airplane skidded off the runway into a grassy area and was substantially damaged.  The private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight which originated from Palm Springs, California, at an undetermined time.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator reported that an inspection of the failed lower section of the right main landing gear assembly revealed the presence of "a previous crack" which could not be seen during preflight inspection.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N19NH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N19NH), registered now, S/N MB-740, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B19
- Registry model: [Beech B19](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b19) (registry code 1151215) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MB-740
- Airframe hours: 6585
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ram Air Aviation
- Registered owner: Bonnie Marko
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 10, 1994
- Departed: PSP, PALM SPRINGS, CA
- Airport: L35, Big Bear City, runway 26, 5,850 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 230 total, 142 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSP, 31 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 19940911034169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940911034169A), Sep 11, 1994: Beech B19, Big Bear, CA, Substantial damage. Right main landing gear separated on landing roll. Gear assembly had prior hidden 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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