Monday, June 22, 2020

Landing Gear Collapse: Socata TB-20 Trinidad, N2519T; accident occurred February 25, 2017 at Melbourne International Airport (KMLB), Brevard County, Florida










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

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Orlando, Florida
Daher Aircraft Inc; Miami, Florida 

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/N2519T

Location: Melbourne, FL
Accident Number: ERA17LA130
Date & Time: 02/25/2017, 1115 EST
Registration: N2519T
Aircraft: SOCATA TB20
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing gear collapse
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On February 25, 2017, about 1115 eastern standard time, a Socata TB20, N2519T, was substantially damaged during a gear up landing at Melbourne International Airport (MLB), Melbourne, Florida. The private pilot was not injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which departed Key West International Airport (EYW), Key West, Florida, about 1012.

The pilot reported that during his cross-country flight he noticed the alternator warning light flash and the battery began to discharge. He contacted air traffic control, but did not declare an emergency, and began a slow descent while initiating the emergency gear extension. After multiple unsuccessful attempts the pilot performed a gear up landing.

An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed that the main landed gear was extended but not fully locked. The nose landing gear did not extend and remained in the wheel well. Examination of the airframe revealed that the bottom forward bulkhead was damaged during landing sequence. An examination of the nose gear assembly revealed the circlip on the nose landing gear strut was dislodged from the nose landing gear leg assembly, which allowed the strut to extend further than usual. The circlip used to retain the nose gear strut inside the nose gear assembly had paint on the outer portion of the circlip, which should have been fully set inside the groove used to keep the circlip in place. An examination of the circlip groove revealed that it was in serviceable condition with no corrosion or other deformation within the groove. A review of the maintenance records showed that the nose strut was disassembled and repaired on July 15, 2015, and the airplane was completely repainted on April 5, 2016. Further review of the maintenance records revealed that since the disassembly of the nose gear, a total of 75 hours of flight time had accumulated since the maintenance.

According to the airplane's maintenance manual the, nose landing gear strut retaining circlip should have been fully installed in the groove. After it is installed, the landing gear should be rotated several times to confirm proper installation. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 66, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s):None 
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/01/2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 08/26/2016
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 2858 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1849 hours (Total, this make and model), 2700 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 22 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 17 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: SOCATA
Registration: N2519T
Model/Series: TB20
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1989
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 949
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 07/25/2016, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3086 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 2983 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 73 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-540-C4050
Registered Owner: AIR DORRON INC
Rated Power: 250 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: MLB, 33 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1053 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 0°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts:  6 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 240°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.93 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C / 20°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Key West, FL (EYW)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Daytona Beach, FL (DAB)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 0900 EST
Type of Airspace: Class C

Airport Information

Airport: MELBOURNE INTL (MLB)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 33 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 27R
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 6000 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Precautionary Landing

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 28.102778, -80.645278 (est)