Probable cause
The retraction of the left main landing gear due to the failure of the extension and retraction actuator arm attach bolt. Contributing to the accident was the failure of maintenance personnel to discover the extensive elongation of the actuator attach fitting bolt hole during past annual inspections.
NTSB analysis
During the landing roll, the bolt holding the left main landing gear hydraulic extension and retraction actuator to the gear support structure failed, which allowed the left main landing gear leg to retract. Further inspection determined that over time the bolt hole on the support structure had elongated to about twice its original size. This condition would have been very difficult to detect on a preflight inspection; however, it should have been detected during previous annual inspections.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09LA297 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 19, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Roosevelt, Utah
- Nearest airport
- Roosevelt Municipal (74V)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
Bellanca 17-31ATC
- N-number
- N14797
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.