Probable cause
The fatigue failure of the left main landing gear enhanced side brace assembly.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor reported that the landing gear warning horn went off while taxiing to the ramp at the conclusion of the instructional flight. After checking that the landing gear handle was down and bringing the airplane to a complete stop, the left main landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. A subsequent examination of the left main landing gear system revealed that the side frame assembly was the latest enhanced version and had failed as a result of fatigue, consistent with the stresses developed from the bending moments applied to the down tube during the normal extension and retraction of the main landing gear, as well as during takeoff, landing, and taxiing. A search of the relevant data bases disclosed no other reports of similar failures in the new enhanced version of the part.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09LA383 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 30, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Glendale, Arizona
- Nearest airport
- Glendale Municipal Airport (GEU)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Beech 76
- N-number
- N83ER
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.