Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Cessna 310Q, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, N7770Q: Accident occurred March 20, 2015 at St. George Municipal Airport (KSGU), Washington County, Utah

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Salt Lake City, Utah

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms


http://registry.faa.gov/N7770Q



Location: St. George, UT
Accident Number: WPR15LA129
Date & Time: 03/20/2015, 1900 MDT
Registration: N7770Q
Aircraft: CESSNA 310Q
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing gear collapse
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On March 20, 2015, about 1900 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 310Q airplane, N7770Q, experienced a left main gear collapse during the landing roll at St. George Regional Airport (SGU), St. George, Utah. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left aileron. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed SGU about 1800.

The pilot reported that the purpose of this flight was to regain currency after the airplane had been in maintenance for an extended period of time. During the flight, three takeoff and landings were completed before the pilot departed the traffic pattern to practice inflight maneuvers. After finishing the maneuvers, he reentered the traffic pattern for landing. With normal landing gear indications in the cockpit, the pilot landed the airplane normally and uneventfully. During the landing roll, the left wing lowered more than normal; subsequently, the engine propellers and wingtip impacted the runway surface. The airplane slowly slid to the left and exited the runway surface.

A postaccident examination conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed that the lower adjusting bolt on the left main landing gear was fracture separated. High quality photos of the fracture surfaces were sent to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Materials Laboratory for further examination. The NTSB Materials Laboratory specialist reported that both fracture surfaces exhibited fractographic features consistent with overstress fracture due to tensile and cantilever bending loads applied to the tie-rod end fitting. No indications of preexisting cracking was observed.

Review of maintenance logbooks revealed the last annual inspection was completed the same day as the accident. During the inspection, the left and right landing gear side brace bolts and bushings were replaced, and a gear retraction test was satisfactory.

According to a Cessna Representative, the area of the fracture is where a mechanic would place the spring scale to measure the down lock force. This area is one of two main fracture locations when the down lock is improperly adjusted.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 34, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/16/2013
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/14/2013
Flight Time:  1071 hours (Total, all aircraft), 199 hours (Total, this make and model), 950 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Registration: N7770Q
Model/Series: 310Q
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1971
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 310Q0270
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/20/2015, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 5302 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 2 Hours
Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 8704 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: CONT MOTOR
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-470 SERIES
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 260 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSGU, 2884 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1835 MST
Direction from Accident Site: 325°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR): 
Wind Speed/Gusts: 9 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 240°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.06 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 22°C / -8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: St. George, UT (SGU)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: St. George, UT (SGU)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1800 MDT
Type of Airspace: 

Airport Information

Airport: ST GEORGE REGIONAL AIRPORT (SGU)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 2884 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 19
IFR Approach: Unknown
Runway Length/Width: 9300 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  37.091667, -113.592778 (est)




Location: St. George, UT
Accident Number: WPR15LA129
Date & Time: 03/20/2015, 1900 MDT
Registration: N7770Q
Aircraft: CESSNA 310Q
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing gear collapse
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On March 20, 2015, about 1900 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 310Q airplane, N7770Q, experienced a left main gear collapse during the landing roll at St. George Regional Airport (SGU), St. George, Utah. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left aileron. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed SGU about 1800.

The pilot reported that the purpose of this flight was to regain currency after the airplane had been in maintenance for an extended period of time. During the flight, three takeoff and landings were completed before the pilot departed the traffic pattern to practice inflight maneuvers. After finishing the maneuvers, he reentered the traffic pattern for landing. With normal landing gear indications in the cockpit, the pilot landed the airplane normally and uneventfully. During the landing roll, the left wing lowered more than normal; subsequently, the engine propellers and wingtip impacted the runway surface. The airplane slowly slid to the left and exited the runway surface.

A postaccident examination conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed that the lower adjusting bolt on the left main landing gear was fracture separated. High quality photos of the fracture surfaces were sent to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Materials Laboratory for further examination. The NTSB Materials Laboratory specialist reported that both fracture surfaces exhibited fractographic features consistent with overstress fracture due to tensile and cantilever bending loads applied to the tie-rod end fitting. No indications of preexisting cracking was observed.

Review of maintenance logbooks revealed the last annual inspection was completed the same day as the accident. During the inspection, the left and right landing gear side brace bolts and bushings were replaced, and a gear retraction test was satisfactory.

According to a Cessna Representative, the area of the fracture is where a mechanic would place the spring scale to measure the down lock force. This area is one of two main fracture locations when the down lock is improperly adjusted. 



Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 34, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/16/2013
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/14/2013
Flight Time:  1071 hours (Total, all aircraft), 199 hours (Total, this make and model), 950 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: CESSNA
Registration: N7770Q
Model/Series: 310Q
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1971
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 310Q0270
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/20/2015, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 5302 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 2 Hours
Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 8704 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: CONT MOTOR
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-470 SERIES
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 260 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSGU, 2884 ft msl
Observation Time: 1835 MST
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 325°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 22°C / -8°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots, 240°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.06 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: St. George, UT (SGU)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: St. George, UT (SGU)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1800 MDT
Type of Airspace: 

Airport Information

Airport: ST GEORGE REGIONAL AIRPORT (SGU)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 2884 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 19
IFR Approach: Unknown
Runway Length/Width: 9300 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  37.091667, -113.592778 (est)



NTSB Identification: WPR15LA129
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, March 20, 2015 in St. George, UT
Aircraft: CESSNA 310Q, registration: N7770Q
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On March 20, 2015, about 1930 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Cessna 310Q, N7770Q, sustained substantial damage follow a main gear collapse during rollout at St. George Municipal Airport (SGU), St. George, Utah. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured. The local personal flight departed St George, Utah, about 1845. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. 

The pilot reported that during rollout on runway 19, the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane veered left and exited the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer. 

The airplane was recovered for further examination.

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