Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and collapse of the right main gear.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot had conducted a short field approach to runway 33. During the landing roll out, the right main gear collapsed. The FAA stated '...the impact and weight of the aircraft created an excessive side loading. This caused the right main spring steel gear to exert a tremendous upward pull on the single bolt securing the gear to the box beam. The bolt...had pulled through the...nut....' the winds reported at the time of the accident, were from 300 degrees at 10 knots.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 24, 1995, about 1655 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 185, N62EC, was substantially damaged during landing at Bangor Airport, Bangor, Maine. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91.According to the pilot, he was conducting a short field approach to runway 33. The pilot further stated, in the NTSB form 6120.1/2, ...On landing the aircraft ballooned slightly, followed by a normal 3 point landing. Upon rollout, taxiing to Kilo intersection, aircraft began turning slightly left. Pilot applied right rudder than right brake to correct. Without any indication the right main landing gear folded under aircraft. Aircraft continued turning striking the right wing tip.... In the Federal Aviation Administration Inspector's post accident examination report, he stated, ...During the investigation, it was calculated that the PIC [pilot in command], during a crosswind landing, had apparently lost control and laid the aircraft on a steep angle causing the right main wheel to tuck under the belly of the aircraft. This was evident by the scrap marks on the rim of the wheel halves. The impact and weight of the aircraft created an excessive side loading. This caused the right main spring steel gear to exert a tremendous upward pull on the single bolt securing the gear to the box beam. The bolt...had pulled through the...nut.... The winds reported at the time of the accident, were from 300 degrees at 10 knots. -