FTW98LA201

Factual narrative

On May 1, 1998, approximately 0900 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 320D, N3316Q, operated by Star West Industries, Inc., was substantially damaged while taxiing after landing at Greybull, Wyoming. The airline transport rated pilot and his four passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the air taxi flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 135, and an IFR flight had been filed. The flight originated at Evanston, Wyoming approximately 0745. After landing on runway 33 at South Bighorn County Airport, the pilot turned the airplane around and back taxied towards the ramp. As he exited the runway, the left landing gear collapsed. Postaccident inspection of the landing gear performed by an FAA inspector revealed that the left landing gear bellcrank assembly sustained a stress overload, causing the assembly to break and shear both assembly bolts. The gear retract arm was also found broken. When the gear collapsed, the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer struck the ground and were substantially damaged. After landing, the pilot turned the airplane around and back taxied towards the ramp. As he exited the runway, the left landing gear collapsed. Postaccident inspection revealed that the left landing gear bellcrank assembly sustained a stress overload, causing the assembly to break and shear both assembly bolts. The gear retract arm was also found broken. When the gear collapsed, the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer struck the ground and were substantially damaged. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12