# NTSB MIA05LA018: Cessna 340A-RAM VI, N340BK, Pensacola, FL, October 31, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 31, 2004, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Pensacola, FL - Coordinates: 30.473333, -87.1875 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4733&lon=-87.1875&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60615 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA05LA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60615/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA05LA018 ## Probable cause The left landing gear collapsing due to the actuator separating for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Main gear collapsed, taxi - to takeoff - landing gear,main gear attachment - separation ## Analysis The pilot stated that after having completed a thorough preflight inspection, he was taxiing the airplane for takeoff, when the left main landing gear collapsed. He stated that the airplane had crossed runway 17, and was at the intersection of taxiways Alpha and Bravo when the left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane incurred damage to its left wing, and left horizontal stabilizer. An FAA licensed mechanic conducted a postaccident examination of the aircraft, and stated that the landing gear mechanism separated in the area where the actuating rod connects to the landing gear trunion. He said that the fracture surfaces showed no signs of fatigue when examined under magnification, and that he observed no anomalies with how the rigging of the landing gear. ## Factual narrative On October 31, 2004, about 0830 central standard time, a Cessna 340A-Ram VI airplane, N340BK, registered to RAL Investments, Inc., and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR part 91 personal flight, had the left main landing gear collapse while the airplane was being taxied at Pensacola, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured, and the airplane received substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that after having completed a thorough preflight inspection, as he was taxiing the airplane for takeoff, the left main landing gear collapsed. He stated that the airplane had crossed runway 17, and was at the intersection of taxiways Alpha and Bravo when the left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane incurred damage to its left wing, and left horizontal stabilizer. An FAA licensed mechanic conducted a postaccident examination of the aircraft, and later repaired the accident airplane. According to the mechanic, the landing gear mechanism had separated in the area where the actuating rod hooks to the landing gear trunion. He said that the fracture surfaces showed no sign of fatigue when examined under magnification, and that he also observed no anomalies with how the landing gear had been rigged or maintained. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N340BK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N340BK), registered now, S/N 340A0406, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 340A-RAM VI - Registry model: [Cessna 340A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-340a) (registry code 2076405) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 340A-0406 - Airframe hours: 4025 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520N 335 horsepower reciprocating; Continental TSIO-520N 335 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: RAL Investments, Inc., - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2004 - Departed: PNS, Pensacola, FL - Destination: TIX, Titusville, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: PNS, Pensacola Regional ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review May 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 2,875 total, 1,525 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 4 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: PNS ## 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 20041031027689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041031027689A), Oct 31, 2004: Cessna 340A, Pensacola, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Upon taxi and during a left turn the left main landing gear collapsed. Mechanics from the local FBO performed an inspection of the left main gear and… 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.