Probable cause
The fatigue failure of the left main landing gear due to inadequate maintenance inspection that did not detect and correct corrosion pitting.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, as he taxied the airplane to the runway for takeoff, the left main landing gear collapsed. Examination revealed that the left main landing gear had fractured and completely separated from the airplane about 6 inches outboard of its attachment point at the airframe. Examination of the fracture surface on the section of landing gear leg that remained attached to the airframe revealed features consistent with fatigue failure. Examination of the underside of the landing gear leg in an area directly adjacent to the fatigue zone revealed multiple corrosion pits. The manufacturer's maintenance guidance called for visual inspection of the landing gear every 100 hours, and the maintenance manual included information specific to corrosion control on the landing gear legs.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11LA357 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 23, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Warrenton, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Warrenton Air Park (7VG0)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 182F
- N-number
- N3152U
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Skydiving
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.