Narrative:A Beech 99, N14MV, collapsed the left main landing gear after turning off the runway at Helena, Montana. The airplane was substantially damaged and both crew members were not injured. The flight had departed from Billings, Montana, at 01:15, as a cargo flight.
It was reported that after departing runway 27, via the high speed taxi way, the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane skidded another 52.5 feet before coming to rest on the taxi way. The maintenance inspection and subsequent repairs were to the outboard rear spar, ribs and upper and lower skins on the left wing. Other repairs or replacements were to the left main landing gear assembly, fuselage belly and left flap.
During the post crash inspection of the left main landing gear, it was found that the down lock hook, link, fitting and pin were broken. A metallurgical examination of the broken parts revealed fractures typical of an overstress separation. The failure was most likely a result of the down lock hook not properly engaging the lock plate on the drag link, either from inadequate rigging or from excessive binding of the fitting.
Probable Cause:
Landing gear locking mechanism overload and improper rigging.
Accident investigation:
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Investigating agency: | NTSB |
Status: | Investigation completed |
Duration: | 269 days (9 months) | Accident number: | SEA94LA218 | Download report: | Summary report
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Classification:
Landing gear collapse
Runway mishap
Photos
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 Billings-Logan Field, MT to Helena Airport, MT as the crow flies is 277 km (173 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.