# NTSB MIA89LA121: Cessna 340A, N4273C, West Palm Beach, FL, April 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1989, 11:12 local (15:12 UTC)
- Place: West Palm Beach, FL
- Location: 26.7153° N, 80.0534° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Palm Beach, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7153&lon=-80.0534&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32418
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32418/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA121

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR BELLCRANK ASSEMBLY DUE TO BINDING AND INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE LUBRICATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - maintenance,lubrication - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD THREE GREEN LIGHTS ON APPROACH, BUT ON LANDING ROLLOUT, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT SLID OFF THE RUNWAY INTO THE GRASS. AN EXAM OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR REVEALED THE BELLCRANK ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED DUE TO BINDING, CAUSED BY LACK OF LUBRICATION OF THE DOWN LOCK BRACE. THE PLT HAD TAKEN THE ACFT TO MAINTAINENCE FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION WHEN THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR LIGHT DID NOT FUNCTION ON THE PREVIOUS FLT. THE ACFT WAS CHECKED AS OK & RELEASED FOR FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4273C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340A1009
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-NB 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clay E Buzzard
- Registered owner: Middle Atlantic Whse Dist Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: PBT, Palm Beach Intl, runway 13, 6,930 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,200 total, 675 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI

## 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 19890402029699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890402029699A), Apr 2, 1989: Cessna 340A, West Palm Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Right main landing gear collapsed on landing roll. Bellcrank assembly failed due to lack of lube of downlock brace.

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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