# NTSB NYC02LA158: Cessna R182, N21PL, Reading, PA, August 8, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 8, 2002, 19:23 local (23:23 UTC) - Place: Reading, PA - Coordinates: 40.378612, -75.965553 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3786&lon=-75.9656&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 55432 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC02LA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55432/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA158 ## Probable cause Separation of a hydraulic line from its landing gear motor fitting. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - hydraulic system,line - separation (cause) - hydraulic system,motor - inoperative - landing gear,main gear - malfunction - Nose gear collapsed, landing ## Analysis While entering the traffic pattern, the pilot attempted to lower the landing gear, but was unable to do so. He reset the popped landing gear motor circuit breaker, and attempted a manual gear extension. He performed a tower fly-by, and was advised that the nose landing gear was down, but the main landing gear were up. The pilot then made an approach to the runway, shut down the engine prior to touch-down, and landed "nose high." The nose landing gear remained extended until the airplane slid to a stop. Post-flight examination of the airplane revealed that a hydraulic fluid line had separated from its landing gear motor fitting. The line exhibited no evidence of mechanical damage. The diameter of the separated end was slightly larger than the fitting. The line was installed when the airplane was manufactured. The airplane had accumulated 2,100 hours of operation. ## Factual narrative On August 8, 2002, at 1923 eastern daylight time, a Cessna R182, N21PL, was substantially damaged during landing at Reading Regional/Carl A. Spaatz Field (RDG), Reading, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. No flight plan had been filed for the flight, from Reading to Saratoga County Airport (5B2), Saratoga Springs, New York. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, after departing Reading, he climbed the airplane to 5,500 feet, and arranged for flight following. About 20 minutes into the flight, the pilot noted that the airplane's airspeed was 120 knots when it should have been 150 knots. The pilot checked that all gauges were "in the green." He then contacted air traffic control, and requested a return to Reading. The pilot was advised to descend to 3,000 feet, and handed off to Reading Approach Control. He was subsequently advised to enter a right downwind to runway 36. Upon entering the traffic pattern, the pilot attempted to lower the landing gear, but was unable to do so. He contacted the tower controller, and requested to hold southwest of the airport to attempt a manual gear extension. The pilot felt he could not extend the landing gear, despite resetting the gear motor circuit breaker. He asked the tower controller for a fly-by, to observe the landing gear. When the fly-by occurred, the tower controller advised the pilot that the nose landing gear was down, but the main landing gear were up. The pilot then made an approach to runway 36, shut down the engine before ground contact, and landed "nose high." The nose landing gear remained extended as the airplane slid to a stop at the intersection of runway 31. Post-flight examination of the airplane revealed that a hydraulic fluid line had separated from the landing gear motor. According to the pertinent Safety Board Materials Laboratory Factual Report, the line separated at one end, where it had pulled out of the end fitting. The braided nylon exterior was unraveled over the approximate portion of line that had been inserted into the end fitting. The line revealed no evidence of mechanical damage. The diameter of the separated end of the line averaged 0.488 inch, while the diameter of the fitting at the intact end of the line averaged 0.482 inch. The hydraulic line was installed on the airplane during the airplane's manufacture. The airplane had accumulated 2,100 hours of operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21PL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N21PL), registered now, S/N R18201983, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna R182 - Registry model: [Cessna R182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r182) (registry code 2072734) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R18201983 - Airframe hours: 2100 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John Dolbin - Registered owner: Bronco Partners, Ltd. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2002, 30 hours before - Departed: RDG, Reading, PA - Destination: 5B2, Saratoga Spring, NY - Airport: RDG, Reading Regional/Carl A Spaatz, runway 36, 6,350 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 31, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 625 total, 100 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: RDG ## 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 20020808017519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020808017519A), Aug 8, 2002: Cessna R182, Reading, PA, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 8, 2002, at 1923 eastern daylight time, a Cessna R182, N21PL, was substantially damaged during landing at Reading regional/Carl a. Spaatz field… 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.