Beechcraft C90 N20

Summary

On 3 June 2010 at about 19:30 local time, a Beechcraft C90 registered N20, operated by Federal Aviation Administration (ASW-280), was involved in an accident near Fort Worth, Texas, 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

3 June 2010 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Fort Worth, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Fort Worth Alliance (AFW)

Coordinates

32.9878, -97.3189

Aircraft

Beechcraft C90

Registration

N20

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Federal Aviation Administration (ASW-280)

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fort Worth → Fort Worth

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN10LA302

Nobody was injured.

The failure of the nose gear actuator due to insufficient lubrication of the nut assembly threads.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

As the landing gear was extended, the flightcrew heard a loud "bang" and observed a “Gear Unsafe” indication. After making a low pass, tower personnel reported that the main gear appeared to be down but that the nose gear was only partially extended. The certificated flight instructor raised the landing gear and made another low pass. Tower personnel said the main gear was up, but the nose gear was still only partially extended. The flightcrew elected to return to their home base and land. As speed dissipated, the nose gear folded and the airplane slid to a stop. A postaccident examination revealed that the nose gear actuator had failed due to insufficient lubrication of the nut assembly threads. The manufacturer recommends that the actuator be overhauled or replaced every 8000 cycles, or 6 years, whichever occurs first. At this time, the screw and nut assembly is to be greased. The failed actuator had accrued 1,576 cycles and 951.2 hours time-in-service. The maintenance manual does not require in-service lubrication of landing gear actuator.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.