Cessna T303 accident near Houston, Texas, May 28, 1999
On May 28, 1999 at about 9:00 pm local time, a Cessna T303, registered N400T, was substantially damaged in an accident near Houston, Texas (West Houston airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The collapse of the nose landing gear for an undetermined reason.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 28, 1999 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Houston, Texas · West Houston · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T303 · all T303s on the register
- Registration
- N400T · no longer on the register · serial T30300016
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The nose landing gear collapsed upon landing. According to the pilot, he observed the illuminated three green landing gear position lights, after he extended the landing gear on the downwind leg. He visually confirmed that the nose landing gear was extended by referencing a mirror mounted on the left engine nacelle. The main landing gear contacted the runway, and the pilot began to 'release elevator back pressure.' Subsequently, the nose landing gear collapsed when it contacted the runway. An examination of the hydraulic landing gear system, by an FAA certified mechanic, revealed that the operating pressure was 'within manufacturer's tolerances at 850 psi and the fluid level was normal.' The reason for the collapse of the nose landing gear was not 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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,769 hours in all; 910 in this make and model; 60 in the last 90 days; 24 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 5,275 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520AE (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: IAH TX at 8:45 pm
- Destination: IWS
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 3,955 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.