# NTSB MIA03LA070: Cessna 172RG, N5177R, Sanford, FL, February 24, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 24, 2003, 14:32 local (19:32 UTC) - Place: Sanford, FL - Coordinates: 28.777778, -81.237503 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7778&lon=-81.2375&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 56586 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03LA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56586/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA070 ## Probable cause The intentional cutting of the hydraulic line by an unknown person resulting in the loss of hydraulic fluid and the inability of the pilot-in-command to extend and lock the main landing gear, and subsequent collapse of the main landing gear after touchdown. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - hydraulic system,line - cut/severed - sabotage (cause) - gear extension - not possible, pilot in command - fluid,hydraulic - exhaustion - Gear collapsed, landing - roll ## Analysis Before the flight departed, hydraulic fluid was added to the landing gear hydraulic system. The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that after takeoff the landing gear retracted without incident. The flight proceeded to the practice area where airwork was performed. The flight continued and when the landing gear was extended prior to performing additional airwork, it failed to extend. The emergency checklist was followed but failed to extend the landing gear. The flight returned to the departure airport and the flight crew contacted dispatch in an attempt to lower the landing gear which was unsuccessful. Additionally, the CFI attempted to manually extend the main landing gear but was unable. The flight returned for landing and with the nose landing gear extended and the main landing gear in trail, the main landing gear collapsed at touchdown. Examination of the airplane by an FAA Airworthiness inspector revealed the hand pump suction line assembly part number 2480001-23, was damaged. Hydraulic fluid covered the area. The line was retained for further examination. The damaged line was examined by the NTSB Materials Laboratory. Examination of the line revealed at least 8 transverse cuts in the tube section of the line adjacent to the end ferrule. A cut directly adjacent to the end ferrule penetrated the wall thickness and was slightly less than .03 inch wide. The sides of that cut were straight into the tube but the bottom of the cut had a curved surface progressing to a sharp bottom. The other cuts did not penetrate the wall thickness, and loss of metal at the cut locations appeared to be primarily from metal flow as opposed to being from grinding or cutting away material. There was no evidence that the edges of the ferrule or B-nut created the cuts in the tubing. ## Factual narrative On February 24, 2003, about 1432 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172RG, N5177R, registered to and operated by Comair Aviation Academy, experienced collapse of the main landing gear during the landing roll at the Orlando Sanford Airport, Sanford, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the certified flight instructor (CFI) and pilot-rated student sustained minor injuries. The flight originated at 1130 from the Orlando Sanford Airport. Before the flight departed, hydraulic fluid was added to the landing gear hydraulic system. The CFI reported that after takeoff the landing gear retracted without incident. The flight proceeded to the practice area where airwork was performed. The flight continued and when the landing gear was extended prior to performing additional airwork, it failed to extend. The emergency checklist was followed but failed to extend the landing gear. The flight returned to the departure airport and the flight crew contacted dispatch in an attempt to lower the landing gear which was unsuccessful. Additionally, the CFI attempted to manually extend the main landing gear but was unable. The flight returned for landing and with the nose landing gear extended and the main landing gear in trail, the main landing gear collapsed at touchdown. Examination of the airplane by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed the hand pump suction line assembly part number 2480001-23, was damaged. Hydraulic fluid covered the area. The line was retained for further examination. The damaged line was examined by the NTSB Materials Laboratory located in Washington, D.C. Examination of the line revealed at least eight transverse cuts in the tube section of the line adjacent to the end ferrule. A cut directly adjacent to the end ferrule penetrated the wall thickness and was slightly less than .03 inch wide. The sides of that cut were straight into the tube but the bottom of the cut had a curved surface progressing to a sharp bottom. The other cuts did not penetrate the wall thickness, and loss of metal at the cut locations appeared to be primarily from metal flow as opposed to being from grinding or cutting away material. There was no evidence that the edges of the ferrule or B-nut created the cuts in the tubing. The airplane minus the retained hand pump suction line was released to John McGann of Comair Aviation Academy, on March 10, 2003. The retained line was released to Jose Lema, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Maitland, Florida, on March 29, 2004. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5177R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5177R-2010-05-27), registration cancelled 2010-05-27, S/N 172RG0045, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172RG - Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (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: 172RG0045 - Airframe hours: 9564.2 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Comair Aviation Academy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 3, 2003, 99.3 hours before - Departed: KSFB, Sanford, FL - Destination: KSFB, Sanford, FL - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: KSFB, Orlando Sanford, runway 9L, 9,600 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 24; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 19, 2001; seat: right; flight hours: 780 total, 130 in this make and model, 685 as pilot in command, 145 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 20; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 14, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 277 total, 31 in this make and model, 164 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KSFB ## 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 20030224008189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030224008189A), Feb 24, 2003: Cessna 172RG, Sanford, FL, Minor damage. (-23) On February 24, 2003, at 1425 eastern time, a Cessna 172RG, N5177R operated by comair aviation academy and piloted by Mr. Matthew warner, was unable to… 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.