Page:CAB Accident Report, Northwest Airlines crash on 14 December 1940.pdf/1



4231-40

The Civil Aeronautics Board today reported upon the investigation of an accident which occurred on December 14, 1940, about 4:10 a.m. when a Northwest Airlines Douglas, NC 23608, received slight damage in an accident at the Municipal Airport, Bismarck, North Dakota, on December 14, 1940, about 4:10 a.m. Six passengers and the crew of three including Captain C. F. Bates and First Officer J. A. McKeown, both properly certificated and rated, were uninjured.

Prior to a scheduled departure, the aircraft was taxied into take-off position and, while the engines were being warmed and run up, the left landing gear retracted, allowing the left wing to settle. The left propeller and the left wing tip struck the ground with resultant minor damage.

It was subsequently determined that a locking latch in the left landing gear mechanism had become worn to such an extent that it failed to latch properly.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Defective landing gear latch.

CONTRIBUTING FACTOR: Inadequate maintenance inspection.