# NTSB WPR12LA052: Beech 76, N23852, San Carlos, CA, December 2, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 2, 2011, 14:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: San Carlos, CA
- Coordinates: 37.512222, -122.25 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5122&lon=-122.2500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 27, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 82455
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82455/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82455
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA052

## Probable cause

The collapse of the right main landing gear during the turn off the runway due to the failure of the A-frame assembly.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 76, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Beech 76, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 76, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=1153005), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, the tower controller notified him that the right main landing gear did not appear to fully retract. The pilot did a low fly-by over the runway, and the tower controller reported that all three landing gear appeared to be fully extended. The pilot then departed the area to another airport. While on approach for landing, the pilot selected the gear down. The left and nose landing gear indication lights illuminated; however, the right did not. The pilot tested the light bulb and performed an emergency gear extension that was unsuccessful. During a low approach, tower personnel reported that the landing gear appeared to be in the down position. The pilot was subsequently cleared to land, and during the landing roll, everything appeared normal except the right gear light was still not on. The pilot reported that after touchdown he cautiously slowed the airplane to almost a complete stop before turning off the runway. During the turn, the right main landing gear collapsed. A postaccident visual examination of the gear revealed that the A-frame assembly failed in what appeared to be in overload at the top/forward attach point.

## Factual narrative

On December 2, 2011, about 1425 Pacific standard time (PST), the right main landing gear of a Beech 76 Duchess, N23852, collapsed after landing at the San Carlos Airport, San Carlos, California. Bel-Air was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The commercial pilot with a certified flight instructor (CFI) certificate and the private pilot undergoing instruction (PUI) were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The local instructional flight departed Livermore, California, about 1410. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot was notified by the tower controller that the right main landing gear did not appear to fully retract. The pilot then circled back around so that the controller could get a look at the gear. While on the downwind leg, the pilot cycled the gear to try and correct the discrepancy. During the low approach, the tower controller advised the pilot that all three landing gear appeared to be extended. The pilot then requested to depart to another airport. While on approach for landing, the pilot selected the gear down. The left and nose gear indication lights illuminated, however, the right did not. The pilot tested the light bulb and performed an emergency gear extension, which was unsuccessful. During a low approach, tower personnel reported that the landing gear appeared to be in the down position. The pilot was subsequently cleared to land, and during the landing roll everything appeared normal except for the right gear light was still not on. The pilot reported that he cautiously slowed the airplane to almost a complete stop before turning off the runway. During the turn, the right main landing gear collapsed. During the recovery, the airplane was lifted and the right main landing gear was extended and secured. An examination of the landing gear by the assigned Federal Aviation Administration inspector and maintenance personnel revealed that the A-frame assembly, PN-105-810023-68, failed in what appreared to be overload at the top/forward attach point.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23852](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23852-2013-07-11), registration cancelled 2013-07-11, S/N ME-15, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 76
- Registry model: [Beech 76](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-76) (registry code 1153005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: ME-15
- Airframe hours: 9102
- Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Bel-Air International
- Registered owner: Al-Abed Alex
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 24, 2011, 25 hours before
- Departed: LVK, Livermore, CA
- Destination: SQL, San Carlos, CA
- Airport: SQL, San Carlos Airport, runway 30, 2,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 27; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 28, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 1,130 total, 140 in this make and model, 1,040 as pilot in command, 152 in the last 90 days, 61 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 23; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 8, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 298 total, 44 in this make and model, 136 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: KSQL

## 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 20111202028219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111202028219A), Dec 2, 2011: Beech 76, San Carlos, CA, Substantial damage. During flight instruction, when preparing to land, the aircraft landing gear system did not give correct indication for gear status. Gear was verified as…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82455. 5.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385527&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - Airplane as it came to rest on the runway (item 2, .PDF, 165 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385523&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Airplane%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20on%20the%20runway-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Damage to the right wing (item 3, .PDF, 263 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385524&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Damage%20to%20the%20right%20wing-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation- FAA IIC (item 4, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385530&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-%20FAA%20IIC-Master.PDF

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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