Cessna 560XL N576QS

Summary

On 19 October 2012 at about 18:12 local time, a Cessna 560XL registered N576QS, operated by NetJets Aviation, Inc., was involved in an incident near Nantucket, Massachusetts, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 October 2012 at 18:12

Classification

Incident

Location

Nantucket, Massachusetts, United States

Nearest airport

Nantucket Memorial (ACK)

Coordinates

41.2531, -70.0603

Aircraft

Cessna 560XL

Registration

N576QS

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

NetJets Aviation, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Nantucket → Lexington

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA13IA036

Nobody was injured.

The incorrect installation of the left main gear aft trunnion pivot pin by maintenance personnel, which resulted in separation of the aft portion of the left main gear trunnion from the aft trunnion fitting and minor damage to the airplane.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Shortly after takeoff, a tower air traffic controller notified the flight crew that fuel was pouring from the left wing. The crew also noted hydraulic and flight control annunciator messages and a gear unlocked indication. The flight remained in the traffic pattern and the airplane landed with a fuel imbalance of about 1,000 pounds. An examination of the airplane after the incident revealed minor damage in the left wing and gear well areas. The left main gear aft trunnion pivot pin was not in place, resulting in separation of the aft portion of the left main gear trunnion from the aft trunnion fitting. The end of the aft trunnion punctured the interior of the gear well, resulting in damage to surrounding structure and damage to the fuel cell and hydraulic line. The damage resulted in the fuel leak and the flight control and hydraulic messages. The pin was later found loose and undamaged in the flap track area of the left wing. The aft trunnion pivot pin retaining bolt that was intended to restrain the pivot pin was in place and secured with a nut and cotter pin. A review of maintenance records for the airplane revealed that the left main gear trunnion was removed and replaced with a new unit about six weeks before the incident. The maintenance was performed by an outside vendor. According to the airplane maintenance manual, when installing the aft main landing gear trunnion, the trunnion pivot pin must be slid forward, aligning a hole in the trunnion with a hole in the pivot pin. The trunnion pivot pin is then secured in place with the retaining bolt, washers, nut, and cotter pin. It is likely that the incorrect installation of the left main gear aft trunnion allowed the aft trunnion pivot pin to eventually exit the trunnion and attach fitting. This allowed the aft trunnion to puncture the interior of the gear well.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.