Conkey/Wapelhorst LANCAIR 235 N235WC

Summary

On 20 July 1996 at about 23:30 local time, a Conkey/Wapelhorst LANCAIR 235 registered N235WC, operated by Conkey, Denis, R., was involved in an accident near Cottage Grove, Oregon, United States. 2 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

20 July 1996 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Cottage Grove, Oregon, United States

Nearest airport

Cottage Grove State (61S)

Coordinates

43.7107, -123.0298

Aircraft

Conkey/Wapelhorst LANCAIR 235

Registration

N235WC

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Conkey, Denis, R.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA96LA162

Nobody was injured.

release of the main landing gear locking mechanism for undetermined reason(s).

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the takeoff roll on runway 33, the left main landing gear collapsed as the aircraft was accelerating through about 55 to 60 knots. The pilot/co-owner of the aircraft reported that he was unable to identify any mechanical malfunction which have would allowed the left main gear to collapse. He also reported that the gear down lights were illuminated during the takeoff checklist. The reason for the release of the left main gear from the down and locked position could not be determined. However, a 5 to 10 knot quartering right crosswind existed at the time of the takeoff. Once the aircraft settled onto the left wing, the pilot was unable to maintain directional control, and the aircraft slid into another aircraft that was parked off the runway.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.