# NTSB MIA08CA031: Cessna 310P, N5811M, Dunnellon, FL, December 19, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 19, 2007, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Dunnellon, FL - Coordinates: 29.061666, -82.376388 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0617&lon=-82.3764&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Tampa FSDO-15Mark - NTSB case key (mKey): 67283 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67283/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA031 ## Probable cause The improper installation of the right main landing gear scissors by company maintenance personnel, resulting in the collapse of the right main landing gear during takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Gear collapsed, takeoff - maintenance,installation - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause) - landing gear,main gear strut scissors - failure - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI) and pilot receiving instruction were on a training flight practicing touch and go landings. The pilot receiving instruction made a touch and go landing, and remained in left traffic for another touch and go landing. The airplane touched down on the runway, and the CFI retracted the flaps. The pilot receiving instruction added power and the airplane pulled to the right. The CFI thought the airplane had a flat tire and took over the flight controls. The airplane continued turning to the right, and the CFI lost directional control as the right wing dropped and struck the runway. The airplane went off the right side of the runway before stopping. Review of the aircraft logbooks revealed a mechanic had installed new scissors bushings on the airplane on December 18, 2007. Examination of the right main landing gear revealed the wide area washers had not been installed under the bolt head as required by the maintenance manual. These washers keep the scissors from sliding off the bushings at the attachment point. The mechanic performing the maintenance installed the washers on the wrong side of the scissors. After the second touch and go landing the scissors separated, and the wheel began to move around loosely, precipitating the collapse of the right main landing gear. ## Factual narrative The certified flight instructor (CFI)and pilot receiving instruction were on a training flight practicing touch and go landings. The pilot receiving instruction made a touch and go landing, and remained in left closed traffic for another touch and go landing. The airplane touched down on the runway and the CFI retracted the flaps. The pilot receiving instruction added power and the airplane pulled to the right. The CFI thought the airplane had a flat tire and took over the flight controls. The airplane continued turning to the right and the CFI lost directional control of the airplane as the right wing dropped down and struck the runway. The airplane went off the right side of the runway 100 feet and came to a complete stop. Examination of the crash site by the FAA revealed the airplane touched down about 150 feet from the displaced threshold. Transfer marks from the right main landing gear were present on the runway and extended 600 feet down the runway, and were observed to veer to the right. Propeller slashes from the right propeller were present on the runway. In addition, paint transfer marks from the right wing were present on the runway, and where the right main landing gear had collapsed. Review of the aircraft logbooks revealed a mechanic had installed new scissors bushings on the airplane on December 18, 2007. Examination of the right main landing gear revealed the wide area washers had not been installed under the bolt head as required by the maintenance manual. These washers keep the scissors from sliding off the bushings at the attachment point. The mechanic performing the maintenance installed the washers on the wrong side of the scissors. After the second touch and go landing the scissors separated and the wheel began to move around loosely setting up a vibration and the right main landing gear collapsed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5811M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5811M-2008-08-08), registration cancelled 2008-08-08, S/N 310P0111, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 310P - Registry model: [Cessna 310P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310p) (registry code 2074238) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 310P0111 - Airframe hours: 8814 - Engines: Continental IO-470-V0 240 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Crystal Aero Group Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2007, 73 hours before - Departed: KCGC, Crystal River, FL - Destination: X35, Dunnellon, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 71; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2006; seat: right; flight hours: 11,800 total, 900 in this make and model, 11,600 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Other flight crew; age 40; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 345 total, 4 in this make and model, 312 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KOCF, 10 nm away ## Other investigations on N5811M (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA04LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04LA036), Dec 21, 2003: Cessna 310P (N5811M), Crystal River, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: Inadequate maintenance by company maintenance personnel, which resulted in operation of the airplane with a deflated nose landing gear strut, which resulted in the nose gear failing to lock in… 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.