Primary finding
Probable cause
A loss of directional control while landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and landing gear collapse for reasons that could not be determined.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that, during landing on an uphill runway, the airplane touched down, veered slightly to the side, and then veered the other direction and back. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway, the landing gear collapsed, and the stabilizer and elevator were substantially damaged. During postaccident examination, the left landing gear upper trunnion was found fracture separated. The investigation could not determine whether the upper trunnion fracture separation caused the airplane to veer from one direction to the other or whether the trunnion was fractured due to the landing gear collapsing.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 26, 2016, about 1000 mountain standard time, a Cessna 310R airplane, N455TB, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Schafer USFS Airport (8U2), Schafer Meadows, Montana. The pilot and three passengers were uninjured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, during landing on an uphill runway, the airplane touched down, veered slightly to the side, and then to the other direction and back. The airplane exited the left side of the runway, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane then came to rest about 50 ft from the runway. Postaccident examination revealed that the stabilizer and elevator were substantially damaged. The left landing gear upper trunnion was found fracture separated.