# NTSB SEA07LA166: Cessna T188C, N2535J, Rock Springs, MT, June 10, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 10, 2007, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Rock Springs, MT - Coordinates: 46.819999, -106.319725 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8200&lon=-106.3197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 27, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66006 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07LA166 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66006/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA166 ## Probable cause The failure of the left main landing gear due to fatigue. ## Analysis On the fourth takeoff of the morning, with a 170 gallon chemical load and full fuel tanks, the takeoff run had progressed about 30 to 35 yards when the left landing gear broke. The airplane's left wing subsequently impacted the ground before the airplane went up on its nose, then back down on its right landing gear. An FAA inspector determined that the left landing gear leg failed 6 inches above the wheel. ## Factual narrative On June 10, 2007, approximately 0900 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T188C airplane, N2535J, sustained substantial damage as a result of the left main landing gear collapsing during the takeoff roll near Rock Springs, Montana. The certificated commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight, which was being operated in accordance with 14 CFR Part 137, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. In a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIIC), the pilot reported that this was the 4th takeoff of the morning, with a chemical load of 170 gallons and full fuel tanks. The pilot stated that after the airplane had progressed about 30 to 35 yards down the runway during the takeoff roll the left landing gear broke, followed by the airplane's left wing hitting the ground. The pilot further stated that the airplane then went up on its nose before coming back down on its right landing gear. The pilot reported that the airplane came to rest in an upright position facing in the direction opposite that of the takeoff roll. In a written statement and in telephone conversations with the IIC, a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector, who traveled to the accident site, visually inspected the left main landing gear leg and determined that the component failed 6 inches above the wheel. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear - failure (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - runway ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2535J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2535J-2009-11-23), registration cancelled 2009-11-23, S/N T18803471T, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna T188C - Registry model: [Cessna T188C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t188c) (registry code 2073012) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T18803471T - Airframe hours: 7163 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Dennis A. Pluhar - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2007, 181 hours before - Departed: Rock Springs, MT - Airport: pilot's private airstrip, runway 040, 3,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 7,785 total, 6,500 in this make and model, 7,785 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: MLS, 37 nm away ## 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 20070610008669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070610008669A), Jun 10, 2007: Cessna T188C, Angela, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 10, 2007, at approximately 0930 local time, a Cessna CE-188-T188C, N2535J, registered to the pilot [privacy data omitted] sustained substantial… ## Other investigations on N2535J (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 SEA94LA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA152), Jun 4, 1994: Cessna T188C (N2535J), Angela, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: WET TERRAIN AND INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT. 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.