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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

November 26, 1995 · Schafer Lancair 360 Lancair 36 · N56DS

Mesa, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 26, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Mesa, AZ
Aircraft
Schafer Lancair 360 Lancair 36
Tail Number
N56DS
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX96LA055

The pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings. On the last landing, the (lower) nose gear strut failed. The airplane then skidded on the upper strut until it contacted a crack in the runway, then the upper strut failed.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the nose gear strut, during landing.

Full Narrative

On November 25, 1995, at 1710 hours mountain standard time, the nose gear of a homebuilt Schafer Lancair 360, N56DS, collapsed during the landing roll on runway 30L at Williams-Gateway Airport, Phoenix, Arizona. The pilot was completing a local visual flight rules personal flight. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot's wife, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Williams-Gateway Airport at 1610 hours. The pilot reported that he was practicing touch-and-go landings and takeoffs. On the last landing, the airplane touched down on the main wheels and the nose lowered onto the runway. About 2 or 3 seconds later, the pilot heard a thump under the tail of the airplane. Thereafter, the nose gear lowered and the propeller struck the runway. The pilot was able to raise the airplane's nose momentarily, and as the air speed depleted, the nose lowered again and the airplane skidded down the runway on the upper section of the nose gear strut. Later, the upper section of the strut lodged in a crack in the runway and broke off. The airplane subsequently came to a stop after it momentarily became airborne. The pilot also said in the report that the front "fork to [the] strut attachment [bolts]" failed. The Safety Board's investigator-in-charge asked the pilot to submit the bolts for metallurgical examination, but he elected not to.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:10 MST
Nearest AirportWilliams-Gateway (0nm)
Runway30L
Runway Length11000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchafer Lancair 360 Lancair 36
Tail NumberN56DS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 2 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data