Narrative:
During the approach to Topeka Airport the crew was unable to extend the left gear. The crew diverted to Kansas City, and after many unsuccessful attempts to lower the left gear elected to land wheels-up. The left main gear was jammed into the gear doors. The aft hinge bolt was missing from the left inboard gear door, allowing the gear door to shift just enough to jam the gear as it started to extend. 17 days prior to the accident the loose aft hinge was noted during preflight. Company maintenance was unable to retorque the bolt due to the nut plate attachment rivets being stripped. This item was being carried as a delayed discrepancy. These parts can only be lubricated before installation. The entire assembly is almost impossible to inspect, remove, lubricate, install, torque and safety replacement of the nut plate is considered a major undertaking the manufacturer stated that "short cycling" the gear as many as 18 times would eventually break open the gear doors. This emergency method of extending the gear had not been disseminated to all operators.
PROBABLE CAUSE:
landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly..jammed
landing gear,main gear..movement restricted
door,landing gear..assembly
door,landing gear..loose
door,landing gear..disconnected
maintenance,replacement..not performed..company maintenance personnel
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:
acft/equip,inadequate airframe..manufacturer
information insufficient..manufacturer
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Friday 20 August 1982 |
| Time: | 14:43 |
| Type: |  Swearingen SA226-TC Metro II |
| Operator: | Air Midwest |
| Registration: | N237AM |
| MSN: | TC-332 |
| First flight: | 1980 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 4840 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 10 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 12 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | Kansas City Downtown Municipal Airport, MO (MKC) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Wichita-Mid-Continent Airport, KS (ICT/KICT), United States of America |
| Topeka-Philip Billard Airport, KS (TOP/KTOP), United States of America |
During the approach to Topeka Airport the crew was unable to extend the left gear. The crew diverted to Kansas City, and after many unsuccessful attempts to lower the left gear elected to land wheels-up. The left main gear was jammed into the gear doors. The aft hinge bolt was missing from the left inboard gear door, allowing the gear door to shift just enough to jam the gear as it started to extend. 17 days prior to the accident the loose aft hinge was noted during preflight. Company maintenance was unable to retorque the bolt due to the nut plate attachment rivets being stripped. This item was being carried as a delayed discrepancy. These parts can only be lubricated before installation. The entire assembly is almost impossible to inspect, remove, lubricate, install, torque and safety replacement of the nut plate is considered a major undertaking the manufacturer stated that "short cycling" the gear as many as 18 times would eventually break open the gear doors. This emergency method of extending the gear had not been disseminated to all operators.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE:
landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly..jammed
landing gear,main gear..movement restricted
door,landing gear..assembly
door,landing gear..loose
door,landing gear..disconnected
maintenance,replacement..not performed..company maintenance personnel
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:
acft/equip,inadequate airframe..manufacturer
information insufficient..manufacturer
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Wichita-Mid-Continent Airport, KS to Topeka-Philip Billard Airport, KS as the crow flies is 222 km (139 miles).
Distance from Wichita-Mid-Continent Airport, KS to Topeka-Philip Billard Airport, KS as the crow flies is 222 km (139 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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