Cessna 310R N3844C accident near Lexington, Kentucky

Probable cause

A main landing gear collapse due to a landing gear actuator overtravel for reasons that could not be determined.

NTSB analysis

The airline transport pilot stated that when he configured the airplane for landing, only the green nose landing gear position light illuminated. After performing a missed approach, the pilot attempted to manually lower the gear, but felt the system was “not engaging correctly” and continued to turn the manual gear extension handle until it would no longer turn.

When the airplane was on final approach, the tower controllers advised that the landing gear “appeared down.” The pilot stated that the landing gear warning horn did not activate. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear collapsed, followed by the “folding” of the right main landing gear. Initial examination of the airplane revealed only minor damage, but a subsequent more comprehensive examination revealed substantial damage to the wing spar carry-through structure.

Upon recovery, the nose landing gear was found down and locked. The landing gear doors were partially open, consistent with a transition phase between the retracted and extended position. Examination of the main landing gear revealed that the landing gear actuator upper bellcrank had been driven beyond the down limit switch and that its travel was stopped by the internal stop pin in the actuator. When the landing gear actuator was driven beyond the down limit and toward the internal stop pin, the main landing gear was released from its down-and-locked position, which allowed it to partially retract before landing. The reason for the overtravel of the gear actuator could not be determined based on the available information.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA23LA154 for the full record.