N1362GCessna 310R · 1976

On April 8, 2017, about 1145 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 310R, N1362G, sustained substantial damage when the left main landing gear collapsed during landing at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (LAL), Lakeland, Florida. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions were reported at the airport at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from North Perry Airport (HWO), Hollywood, Florida, about 1040 and was destined for LAL.The pilot stated that he confirmed the landing gear was down and locked prior to landing. He said he landed "perfectly" but as the airplane rolled down the runway, the left wing began to sink. The pilot shut off the left engine, and the airplane veered to the left off the runway onto the grass. The pilot then shut off the right engine. When the airplane came to a stop, the pilot secured the airplane and he and his passenger exited. The left wing, and left horizontal stabilizer, and left propeller assembly were substantially damaged.

Examination of the left main landing gear revealed that the fork bolt was ripped out of the landing gear torque tube damaging the torque tube. As a result, the gear could not be retracted and tested to fully determine how the landing gear failed. However, visual examination of the landing gear revealed the over-centering tension on the down lock assembly did not appear to be rigged correctly.

A review of the airframe maintenance logbooks revealed the last annual inspection was conducted on July 12, 2016, at a total time of 7,714.2 hours. The airplane accrued a total of 7,794 hours at the time of the accident. At that time, the landing gear was retracted, and a test of the emergency extension system was found satisfactory. No specific maintenance to the main landing gear system itself was identified then or during the annual inspection in 2015.

The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single and multiengine land, and instrument airplane. His last Federal Aviation Administration first-class medical certificate was issued on September 19, 2016. At that time, he reported a total of 4,550 flight hours.

The weather conditions reported at LAL, at 1150, included wind 010° at 4 knots, visibility 10 miles, and clear skies.