Cessna 421C N471BW

Summary

On 26 November 2006 at about 23:06 local time, a Cessna 421C registered N471BW was involved in an accident near Moline, Illinois, United States. 5 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 November 2006 at 23:06

Classification

Accident

Location

Moline, Illinois, United States

Nearest airport

Quad City International (MLI)

Coordinates

41.4486, -90.5075

Aircraft

Cessna 421C

Registration

N471BW

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Denver → Moline

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

CHI07CA028

Nobody was injured.

The incorrect installation of the torque link scissor assembly by maintenance personnel, which resulted in the collapse of the right main landing gear during landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The right main landing gear collapsed during landing flare/touchdown. The pilot reported that the airplane initially touched down on the left main landing gear, followed by the nose and right main landing gears. The pilot stated that when the right main landing gear touched it "didn't feel right or usual." The pilot reported that he advanced engine power, and the airplane became airborne for about 50 feet. The pilot stated that the airplane "bounced onto runway" and the right propeller impacted the runway. The airplane became airborne again, and then "landed hard" for the final time. Inspection of the right main landing gear showed that the upper and lower torque links had separated at the common pivot-point, which allowed the lower strut to rotate within the upper strut. The two torque links are connected by a bolt, nut, bushing, and several washers. The washer that prevents the bolt head and pressed bushing from pulling through the common pivot-point was not installed. The as-installed stack-up remained together, and was attached to the upper torque link. The pressed bushing from the lower torque link was found with the as-installed stack-up. The torque links for the left main landing gear were found correctly assembled.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.