# NTSB MKC88LA036: Cessna 414, N30ML, Fayetteville, AR, January 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 1, 1988, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Fayetteville, AR
- Coordinates: 36.069442, -94.149169 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0694&lon=-94.1492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34531
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34531/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA036

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - attempted
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - movement restricted (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear strut - pressure too low (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - jammed (cause)

## Analysis

DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLT, THE CFI AND STUDENT PLT HEARD A LOUD POP WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LOWER THE GEAR IN PREPARATION FOR LANDING. SEVERAL FLYBYS PAST THE CONTROL TOWER WERE MADE TO CONFIRM AN UNSAFE NOSE GEAR CONFIGURATION. THEY FLEW THE AIRCRAFT AN ADDITIONAL HOUR AND A HALF TO LIGHTEN THE FUEL LOAD, ATTEMPTED TO LOWER THE GEAR WITH EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, THEN ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND CONSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. POST FLIGHT INSPECTION REVEALED A FLAT NOSE GEAR STRUT, AND MECHANICAL PROBLEMS IN THE NOSE GEAR STRUT ASSEMBLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30ML](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30ML-2003-01-16), registration cancelled 2003-01-16, S/N 414-0005, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 414
- Registry model: [Cessna 414](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-414) (registry code 2075908) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 414 0005
- Airframe hours: 4198
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520J 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Robert H. Lewis
- Registered owner: Robert H Lewis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, November 23, 1987, 18 hours before
- Departed: ROG, ROGERS, AR
- Destination: FYV, FAYETTEVILLE, AR
- Airport: FYV, Fayetteville, runway 34, 6,006 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,751 total, 50 in this make and model, 1,625 as pilot in command, 147 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FYV

## 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 19880101000089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880101000089A), Jan 1, 1988: Cessna 414, Fayetteville, AR, Substantial damage. Unable to extend the nose gear for landing. Landed nose gear up. Flat nose strut and mechanical problems in strut.

## Other investigations on N30ML (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 FTW99LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA029), Nov 18, 1998: Cessna 414 (N30ML), Monroe, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's spatial disorientation which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Factors were fog, low ceilings, and dark night conditions.

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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