# NTSB MKC85LA016: Cessna 401A, N6294Q, Springfield, MO, November 6, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1984, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Springfield, MO
- Coordinates: 37.210681, -93.349937 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2107&lon=-93.3499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33885
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33885/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA016

## 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 - overload (cause)
  - maintenance,calibration - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - failure,partial (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER A GEAR COLLAPSE FOLLOWING A MANUAL EXTENSION OF LANDING GEAR DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE THE ACFT WAS AFFORDED A TEMPORARY REPAIR BY CLAMPING A WRENCH TO THE LANDING GEAR STRUT TO 'STIFF-LEG' IT. THE GEAR COLLAPSED AGAIN DURING TAXI TO THE ACTIVE RUNWAY. THE WRENCH USED IN THE REPAIR HAD BROKE AND APPEARED TO HAVE HAD PREVIOUS DAMAGE ALSO.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6294Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6294Q-2026-01-02), registration cancelled 2026-01-02, S/N 401A0094, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 401A
- Registry model: [Cessna 401A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-401a) (registry code 207590D) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 401A0094
- Airframe hours: 4556
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Mc Cauley Aviation
- Registered owner: Charles R. Easley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SGF, SPRINGFIELD, MO
- Destination: MKC, KANSAS CITY, MO
- Airport: SGE, Regional

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 245 in this make and model, 2,830 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SGF

## 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 19841106073439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841106073439A), Nov 6, 1984: Cessna 401A, Springfield, MO, Substantial damage. During taxi after stiff legging right main gear, it collapsed. Wrench used to lock defective gear down had broken.

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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