According To The Pilot, The Landing At WVL Was Not “Firm Or Hard”

Location: Waterville, ME Accident Number: ERA21LA021
Date & Time: October 14, 2020, 08:20 Local Registration: N499CZ
Aircraft: Beech 99 Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under:

On October 14, 2020, about 0820 eastern daylight time, a Beechcraft 99, N499CZ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Waterville Robert LaFleur Airport (WVL), Waterville, Maine. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 cargo flight.

According to the pilot, the landing at WVL was not “firm or hard” and during the subsequent landing roll, he used reverse thrust and minimal braking to slow the airplane to a “standard taxi speed.” As he initiated a right turn to exit the runway onto the taxiway, the airplane’s right main landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing.

An examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the site revealed the drag leg of the right main landing gear was fractured.

The airplane was retained for further examination and the fractured portion of the landing gear was removed and sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory for examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov