# NTSB NYC95LA093: Cessna 185, N62EC, Bangor, ME, April 24, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 24, 1995, 16:55 local (20:55 UTC) - Place: Bangor, ME - Location: 44.8074° N, 68.8281° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BANGOR INTL (BGR), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8074&lon=-68.8281&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 23, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38948 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38948/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA093 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and collapse of the right main gear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor) - landing gear,main gear attachment - separation ## Analysis THE PILOT HAD CONDUCTED A SHORT FIELD APPROACH TO RUNWAY 33. DURING THE LANDING ROLL OUT, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. THE FAA STATED '...THE IMPACT AND WEIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT CREATED AN EXCESSIVE SIDE LOADING. THIS CAUSED THE RIGHT MAIN SPRING STEEL GEAR TO EXERT A TREMENDOUS UPWARD PULL ON THE SINGLE BOLT SECURING THE GEAR TO THE BOX BEAM. THE BOLT...HAD PULLED THROUGH THE...NUT....' THE WINDS REPORTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, WERE FROM 300 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS. ## Factual narrative On April 24, 1995, about 1655 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 185, N62EC, was substantially damaged during landing at Bangor Airport, Bangor, Maine. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91.According to the pilot, he was conducting a short field approach to runway 33. The pilot further stated, in the NTSB form 6120.1/2, ...On landing the aircraft ballooned slightly, followed by a normal 3 point landing. Upon rollout, taxiing to Kilo intersection, aircraft began turning slightly left. Pilot applied right rudder than right brake to correct. Without any indication the right main landing gear folded under aircraft. Aircraft continued turning striking the right wing tip.... In the Federal Aviation Administration Inspector's post accident examination report, he stated, ...During the investigation, it was calculated that the PIC [pilot in command], during a crosswind landing, had apparently lost control and laid the aircraft on a steep angle causing the right main wheel to tuck under the belly of the aircraft. This was evident by the scrap marks on the rim of the wheel halves. The impact and weight of the aircraft created an excessive side loading. This caused the right main spring steel gear to exert a tremendous upward pull on the single bolt securing the gear to the box beam. The bolt...had pulled through the...nut.... The winds reported at the time of the accident, were from 300 degrees at 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N62EC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N62EC), registered now, S/N 18504428, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 185 - Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18504435 - Airframe hours: 2380 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alton Bouchard - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 1995 - Departed: AUG, AUGUSTA, ME - Destination: BGR - Airport: BGR, Bangor International Arpt, runway 33, 11,439 × 300 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 7,610 total, 2,460 in this make and model, 6,910 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 10 knots - Visibility: 75 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BGR ## 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 19950424047289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950424047289A), Apr 24, 1995: Cessna A185F, Bangor, ME, Substantial damage. Landed in a crab angle crosswind side loading and hard landing pulled gear out of box beam collapsing gear leg. 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.