Probable cause
Failure of the left main landing gear downlock link, which resulted in a landing gear collapse during the landing roll.
NTSB analysis
During approach, the airline transport pilot observed a cockpit indication that the landing gear was down and locked; however, the left main landing gear collapsed during the landing roll. The left propeller struck the runway, and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway and came to rest in the grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the left main landing gear downlock link had separated. The airplane experienced a previous landing gear collapse about 3 years before the accident. However, it had been flown about 6 hours uneventfully after extensive repairs from the previous accident and two subsequent annual inspections. It could not be determined if these events are related.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA17LA121 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 2, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Ft Lauderdale, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 340
- N-number
- N340DW
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1978
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Flight test
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.