# NTSB LAX95LA232: Cessna 401A, N444RJ, Van Nuys, CA, July 1, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 1, 1995, 07:50 local (14:50 UTC) - Place: Van Nuys, CA - Coordinates: 34.219036, -118.440109 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2190&lon=-118.4401&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29133 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA232 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29133/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA232 ## Probable cause the failure of the wing rib web due to undetected cracking in an area of known crack development around the landing gear side brace fitting. The operator's failure to accomplish a Service Letter addressing the problem is a factor in the accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Gear collapsed, taxi - to takeoff - wing,wing rib - cracked (cause) - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not complied with, company/operator management (contributing factor) - landing gear,main gear - collapsed ## Analysis THE AIRCRAFT WAS MAKING A RIGHT-HAND TURN IN THE RUN-UP AREA AT A SLOW SPEED WHEN THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE SIDE BRACE FOR THE MAIN LANDING GEAR IS ATTACHED TO A CASTING, WHICH IN TURN IS BOLTED TO THE INBOARD WING RIB IN THE LANDING GEAR WHEEL WELL. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE WING RIB WEB CRACKED AROUND THE CASTING, WHICH ALLOWED THE SIDE BRACE TO MOVE AND THE LANDING GEAR TO COLLAPSE. PORTIONS OF THE CRACK APPEARED DISCOLORED AND OLD. REVIEW OF THE AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE RECORDS REVEALED NO HISTORY OF LANDING GEAR DAMAGE OR HARD LANDING RELATED MAINTENANCE ACTIVITY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LAST INSPECTED DURING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION 7 MONTHS AND 60 FLIGHT HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY REPORTED THAT IN RESPONSE TO CRACKS FOUND ON THE INBOARD WING RIB WEB AROUND THE SIDE BRACE FITTING, SERVICE LETTER ME76-2 WAS ISSUED ON JANUARY 5, 1976. THE LETTER DETAILS THE INSTALLATION OF A STEEL REINFORCEMENT/DOUBLER PLATE ON THE WING RIB WEB BEHIND THE LANDING GEAR SIDE BRACE FITTING. INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT SERVICE LETTER ME76-2 WAS NOT ACCOMPLISHED. ## Factual narrative On July 1, 1995, at 0750 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 401A, N444RJ, sustained a left main landing gear collapse while taxiing for departure at Van Nuys, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot, and was beginning a cross-country flight to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The aircraft incurred substantial damage to the left wing, left wing tip fuel tank, and the associated engine and propeller. Neither the certificated private pilot nor his four passengers were injured. According to the pilot's statement and witness observations, the aircraft was making a right-hand turn in the run-up area at a slow speed when the left main landing gear collapsed. The side brace for the main landing gear is attached to a casting, which in turn is bolted to the inboard wing rib in the landing gear wheel well. Examination of the aircraft by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed that the wing rib web cracked around the casting, which allowed the side brace to move and the landing gear to collapse. The inspector reported that portions of the crack appeared discolored and old. Review of the aircraft maintenance records revealed no history of landing gear damage or hard landing related maintenance activity. The aircraft was last inspected during an annual inspection 7 months and 60 flight hours prior to the accident. Cessna Aircraft Company was contacted for information regarding known wing rib web failures. Cessna stated that there are no known total landing gear collapse incidents due to cracks in the wing rib web. The company reported that in response to cracks found on the inboard wing rib web around the side brace fitting, Service Letter ME76-2 was issued on January 5, 1976. The letter details the installation of a steel reinforcement/doubler plate on the wing rib web behind the landing gear side brace fitting. Inspection of the aircraft revealed that Service Letter ME76-2 was not accomplished. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N444RJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N444RJ-2021-01-30), registration cancelled 2021-01-30, S/N 401A0017, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 401A - Registry model: [Cessna 401A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-401a) (registry code 207590D) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 401A0017 - Airframe hours: 3700 - Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520E 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Edward J. Lovelock - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1994, 60 hours before - Departed: VNY - Destination: MMSB, CABO SAN LUCAS - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: VNY, Van Nuys ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,774 total, 1,423 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: VNY ## 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 19950701020629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950701020629A), Jul 1, 1995: Cessna 401A, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. Left main gear collapsed turning in runup area. Wing rib web cracked. Side brace folded. Service letter not complied 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.