Cessna 310G accident near Broomfield, Colorado, September 1, 2017
On September 1, 2017 at about 9:15 pm local time, a 1962 Cessna 310G, registered N8957Z, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Broomfield, Colorado (Rocky Mountain Metropolitan airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A collapse of the right main landing gear due to a bent pushrod, which precluded the gear from fully extending. The reason for the bent pushrod could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 1, 2017 · about 9:15 pm local time
- Place
- Broomfield, Colorado · Rocky Mountain Metropolitan · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 310G G, built 1962 · all 310Gs on the register
- Registration
- N8957Z · no longer on the register · serial 310G0057
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot reported that, upon touchdown in the retractable gear, multi-engine airplane, he experienced a "mushy feeling" and aborted the landing even though the gear down indicator light was illuminated. He made another landing attempt with the same results, but after the second attempt, he noted that neither the red gear-up light nor the green gear-down light were illuminated. Ultimately, the pilot diverted to a nearby tower-controlled airport. The tower personnel confirmed that the right main landing gear was not fully extended. Attempts to lower the landing gear using emergency procedures were unsuccessful, and the pilot landed the airplane, during which the right landing gear collapsed. Subsequent examination revealed that a pushrod from the gear motor was bent, which likely resulted in the inability of the right landing gear to fully extend. The reason for the bent pushrod could not be determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Miscellaneous/other during approach
- Landing gear collapse during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Landing gear actuator › Damaged/degraded
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 13,842 hours in all; 7,259 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,035 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 30, 2017; 80 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,993 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Cont Motor IO-470 -D (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Cont Motor IO-470-D (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Zero Energy Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: BDU Boulder CO at 7:15 pm
- Destination: GXY Greeley CO
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 30R, 9,000 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 15,000 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 9:35 pm from BJC
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on July 5, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation with Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.