# NTSB MIA83FA224: Cessna 402C, N29PB, Tampa, FL, September 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1983, 10:54 local (14:54 UTC)
- Place: Tampa, FL
- Coordinates: 27.959758, -82.490493 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9598&lon=-82.4905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 9 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30804
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83FA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30804/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FA224

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - fatigue (cause)
  - inadequate quality control, manufacturer (cause)

## Analysis

BEFORE LANDING, THE PLT MOVED THE GEAR HANDLE TO THE EXTEND POSITION & ALL 3 GREEN GEAR DOWN LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. HOWEVER, WHEN THE NOSE WAS LOWERED AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ROD END, PN MS2124254K, ON THE NOSE GEAR ACTUATOR HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE. THE FAILED PART WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO MEET THE REQUIRED SPECIFICATION. THE MICROSWITCH FOR THE NOSE GEAR INDICATOR WAS LOCATED ON THE NOSE GEAR ACTUATOR. IT WAS ACTIVATED WHEN THE ACTUATOR EXTENDED TO THE DOWN POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N29PB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402CO257
- Airframe hours: 4286
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-VB 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Provincetown Boston Airline
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, August 30, 1983, 44 hours before
- Departed: JAX, JACKSONVILLE, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: TPA, Tampa International, runway 18L, 8,300 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,197 total, 868 in this make and model, 3,110 as pilot in command, 292 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA

## 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 19830905046449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830905046449A), Sep 5, 1983: Cessna 402C, Tampa, FL, Substantial damage. Nose gear collapsed on the landing roll. Nose gear actuating rod had broken. Rod below specs failed from fatigue.

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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