WPR13LA132

After takeoff, while retracting the landing gear, the pilot heard an unusual banging sound on the right side of the airplane. The right main landing gear did not fully retract. The pilot cycled the gear. When he did not get an indication that the landing gear was in the down and locked position, he attempted to manually extend the gear; however, this was not successful. Upon landing, the airplane experienced a right main landing gear collapse. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right main gear bracket assembly had separated from its wing attachment point fitting. Further, the torque tube bearing would not rotate and lacked lubrication. It is likely that with no rotation in the bearing, the attachment fitting became worn with each cycle and reached a point where it could no longer support the load applied and separated.

On February 17, 2013, about 1530 mountain standard time, a Cessna T310R, N4941J, sustained substantial damage during landing at the Casper Natrona County International Airport (CPR) Casper, Wyoming. The airplane was registered and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight which was originating at the time of the accident with a planned destination of Sheridan County Airport, Sheridan, Wyoming. According to the pilot, after takeoff he selected the landing gear in the up position and heard an unusual banging sound on the right side of the airplane. The right main landing gear did not fully retract. The pilot cycled the landing gear but the right main landing gear continued to indicate not down and locked. The pilot referenced the emergency landing gear extension procedure and attempted to manually extend the landing gear. All attempts to get the landing gear down and locked were unsuccessful. The pilot declared an emergency and flew a low approach back at CPR, to have the landing gear visually checked. The tower replied that all three landing gear appeared to be down and locked. Upon landing, the right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane slid and made a 180 degree turn prior to stopping. Examination by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the right horizontal stabilizer sustained substantial damage. He further identified, with the assistance of a certified mechanic, that the right main gear bracket assembly, gear torque tube bearing was separated from the wing attachment fitting, which prevented the right main landing gear to extend to the down and locked position. Further examination of the torque tube bearing by a certified mechanic, observed that it would not rotate and its inner support structure was dry of grease. The FAA Inspector's review of the airplane maintenance records revealed that all appropriate inspections were accomplished and no regulatory issues noted.