Cessna 172RG N6416V accident near St. Louis, Missouri

Probable cause

The improper maintenance performed resulting in a jammed nose landing gear door preventing the extension of the nose landing gear.

NTSB analysis

According to the pilot, he had just departed when he noted that he had a "landing gear problem." After multiple attempts to extend the landing gear, the pilot performed a gear up landing, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. Examination revealed that the nose gear door was jammed and had prevented the nose landing gear from extending. An examination of the maintenance records revealed that the day prior to the accident, the airplane was in for maintenance directly related to the landing gear door and damage to the door lip. The mechanic performed two gear swings without issue and the airplane was returned to service with the intent to repair the gear door damage when the airplane was in for an annual inspection in October.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DEN08LA159 for the full record.