The Left Main Landing Gear Began To Shake And Rattle

Location: King Salmon, AK Accident Number: ANC20LA098
Date & Time: September 21, 2020, 14:05 Local Registration: N182KT
Aircraft: Cessna 182 Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On September 21, 2020, about 1405 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 182C airplane, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident at King Salmon, Alaska. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, after a normal touchdown in crosswind conditions, the left main landing gear began to shake and rattle. The shaking continued and became more severe as the airplane continued its landing rollout, and the airplane subsequently began to veer to the left and exited the runway. As the airplane came to rest the left main landing gear spring separated from the fuselage, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator.

An initial examination of the airplane, by the pilot, revealed that the inboard landing gear spring attach bolt and the U-bolt fractured allowing the left main landing gear spring to separate from the fuselage. A detailed examination of the left main landing gear spring attach hardware is pending.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov