Cessna 402 Safety Record

The pilot's inadequate handling of the aircraft during the landing flare/touchdown resulting in a hard landing that collapsed the left main landing gear.

The pilot's decision takeoff with condensation on the cockpit windows which restricted visibility, his improper use of aileron control, improper compensation for winds during takeoff, and his failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, resulting in the aircraft running off the left side of the runway, colliding with a taxiway sign and ditch, and collapsing the landing gear.

the pilot allowed the airplane to improperly touchdown on the right main landing gear, resulting in the gear collapsing, and subsequent impact with runway visual range equipment.

The pilot failure to comply with the prescribed IFR procedure and his not following his company's operations specifications. Low clouds and fog were are contributing factors.

the pilot's delayed decision to perform a go-around (missed approach). Related factors were: darkness, low ceiling, fog, and disorientation of the flight crew, while making the approach in conditions of limited visibility.

The pilot-in-command's (CFI) inadequate supervision and failure to take remedial action. A factor was the dual student's failure to maintain directional control.

the pilot's inadequate inflight planning/decision, and his misjudgment of speed and distance. Related factors were: fog, tailwind, and soft terrain on the overrun area at the end of the runway.

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, his use of an overly excessive approach speed, and his misjudged distance/altitude relationship to the runway. The wind was a factor.

THE AIRPORT MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL'S INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE OF THE RUNWAY BY NOT REPLACING THE YELLOW CONES THAT MARKED THE SOFT AREA. THE SOFT AREA ON THE RUNWAY WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO PERFORM ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT DURING TAXI, AND THE GROUND CONTROLLER'S FAILURE TO IDENTIFY THE POSITION OF THE PIPER PA-34 BEFORE ISSUING TAXI INSTRUCTIONS. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DECREASED VISIBILITY DUE TO DARKNESS AND RAIN, PARTIAL FAILURE OF ATC EQUIPMENT DUE TO A LIGHTNING STRIKE, AND DIVERTED ATTENTION OF ATC PERSONNEL DUE TO THE PARTIAL FAILURE OF ATC EQUIPMENT.

The failure of the left main landing gear upper barrel and trunion assembly due to overstress separations, resulting in the collapse of the left main landing gear on landing rollout.

The first officer's failure to maintain directional control on landing roll out due to improper use of brakes, resulting in the airplane veering off the runway, and subsequent on-ground collision with a runway light and sign. Contributing to the incident was the failure of the return spring in the right master brake cylinder, and the failure of the first officer to relinquish the flight controls when requested by the pilot-in- command.

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS BY LANDING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. FACTORS WERE: INADEQUATE SNOW REMOVAL AND THE SNOW COVERED RUNWAY.