Probable cause
The failure of the drive mechanism for the gearbox motor, which resulted in the gear not extending for the landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that when he lowered the landing gear handle, he heard a loud bang. He stated that the nosewheel landing gear did not appear to be extended and that he could not be see it using the nacelle mirror. In addition, the green landing gear position lights did not illuminate. The pilot went through the emergency checklist and followed the manual landing gear extension procedure. During the landing, the landing gear collapsed and the airplane skidded on the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. An examination revealed that the drive mechanism for the gearbox motor had failed. An examination of the remaining systems revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN14LA256 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 22, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Horseshoe Bay, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Horseshoe Bay Resort Airport (KDZB)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 421
- N-number
- N866BS
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1968
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.